Oyster Pan Roast with Tarragon Toasts

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Ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2. 1/2 small onion, minced
3. 2 garlic cloves, 1 clove minced
4. 1/4 cup dry vermouth
5. 2 dozen oysters, such as Wellfleet, shucked, 1/4 cup oyster liquor reserved
6. 3/4 cup water
7. 1 cup heavy cream
8. 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
9. Kosher salt
10. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
11. 1/4 cup tarragon, minced
12. 8 baguette slices, toasted

1. In a large saucepan, heat the oil. Add the onion and minced garlic; cook over moderate heat until softened, 5 minutes. Add the vermouth; boil over moderately high heat until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add the oyster liquor and water and simmer for 3 minutes. Add the cream and simmer over moderate heat until the sauce coats a spoon, 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice; season with salt.
2. In a bowl, mix the butter with the tarragon and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice; season with salt. Lightly rub the toasts with the garlic clove and spread with the tarragon butter.
3. Add the oysters to the sauce. Cook over moderately low heat until warmed through, 2 minutes. Serve with the toasts.