Crispy Oysters Rockefeller
- 1/2 cup fresh tarragon leaves
- 1/2 cup baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 ounces pancetta, diced
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Grapeseed oil, for frying (about 3 cups)
- 1 large egg
- 1 dozen oysters, shucked and drained on a paper towel-lined plate (rinse and reserve shells)
- In a food processor, place the tarragon and spinach and pulse 1 to 2 times to coarsely chop.
- Add the panko and pulse until completely combined with the tarragon and spinach (it should look like green bread crumbs).
- Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl and set aside.
- In a small saute pan set over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and pancetta and cook until the pancetta is golden-brown and crispy, about 4 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the lemon juice, sugar and salt, stirring with a wooden spoon until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the parsley and set aside.
- Pour enough grapeseed oil into 10-inch saute pan to fill it by 1/3 inch.
- Heat the oil over medium heat to 350 degrees F or until a few breadcrumbs sprinkled in the pan sizzle immediately but do not burn.
- Lightly beat the egg in a medium bowl.
- Add the oysters to the egg and toss gently to coat.
- One by one, lift them out of the egg and place them in the herb breadcrumbs.
- Again toss gently to make sure the oysters are coated all around, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place the breaded oysters, one at a time, into the hot oil.
- You should be able to fry about 6 at a time.
- Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Flip the oysters and cook another 1 minute to brown on the other side.
- Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Repeat the process with the remaining oysters.
- Place one oyster in each half shell and spoon some of the pancetta vinaigrette over the top.
- Serve warm.
tarragon, baby spinach leaves, breadcrumbs, extravirgin olive oil, pancetta, freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar, kosher salt, parsley, oil, egg, oysters
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/crispy-oysters-rockefeller.html (may not work)