Raw Oysters on the Half Shell
- 24 oysters, such as Malpeque, Kumamoto, or Belon
- Crushed ice or rock salt
- Cucumber Mignonette Sauce, recipe follows
- Scrub the oysters under cold water with a stiff brush to remove the dirt, especially in the hinge area where mud has a tendency to get trapped.
- Next, find a durable thick cloth and fold it over several times to create a square; this will steady the oysters as you shuck them and also protect your hand.
- Using the towel as a mitt, place the oyster, cup-side down in the palm of your towel-covered hand with the hinge facing you; have a small bowl handy to catch the delicious juice.
- Insert the tip of an oyster knife or dull butter knife as far into the hinge as it will go; don't jab it in there or you could break the shell.
- With gentle force, twist the knife back and forth to pry the shell open.
- Using the knife, cut the muscle away from the top shell, bend the shell back, and discard it.
- Run the knife underneath the oyster to detach it completely, but leave it in its shell.
- Tip out the briny liquor into the bowl and pour it back over the shucked oysters.
- Nestle the oysters in a bed of crushed ice or rock salt to keep them steady.
- Spoon the cucumber mignonette on top and serve as part of a raw shellfish bar.
- 1 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 1/2 hothouse cucumber, peeled and minced
- Several turns freshly ground black pepper
- 1 handful fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- In a small bowl, combine the rice wine vinegar, shallots, ginger, cucumber, black pepper, and cilantro; mixing with a fork.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour or up to the day before you plan to serve, to allow the flavors to come together.
- Serve with raw oysters and clams.
- Yield: 1 cup
oysters, salt, cucumber mignonette
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/raw-oysters-on-the-half-shell-recipe.html (may not work)