Fried Oysters

• 24 large oysters, shucked
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• dash ground cayenne pepper, optional
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 1 cup fine dry bread crumbs

Drain oysters. Beat eggs with salt and pepper and cayenne. Whisk in water. Put bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. Dip oysters, one at a time, into the egg mixture then into the bread crumbs. Let rest for 5 minutes before frying. Fry in hot deep fat at about 375° until golden brown. Serve immediately with cocktail sauce or tartar sauce, or use in sandwiches.
Recipe for fried oysters serves 4.