Creative Oyster Loaf Recipes

AMY'S CRUSTY ITALIAN LOAF

Steps:

• Sponge Starter:
• 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) very warm water (105 degrees F to 115 degrees F)
• 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 3 1/2 cups (16 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
• Mix all the ingredients together in a medium bowl and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for 2 to 3 minutes until a smooth, somewhat elastic batter has formed. The batter will be very stiff; it gets softer and more elastic after it has proofed. You may find it easier to mix the sponge using an electric mixer, with a paddle or a dough hook, on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape the sponge into a 2-quart clear plastic container and cover with plastic wrap. At this point you have two options:
• If you plan to make your dough later that same day, let the sponge rest at room temperature until it has risen to the point where it just begins to collapse. This may take 6 to 8 hours, depending on the temperature of the room and the strength of the yeast. The sponge will triple in volume and small dents will begin to appear in the top as it reaches its peak and then begins to deflate. The sponge is now in perfect condition to be used in a dough. It's best if you have already weighted or measured out all of your other recipe ingredients before the sponge reaches this point so you can use it before it collapses too much.
• If you're not planning to make your dough until the next day or the day after, put the covered sponge in the refrigerator and let it rise there for at least 14 hours before taking it out to use in a recipe. Be sure to compensate for the cold temperature of the starter by using warm water (85 degrees to 90 degrees F) in the dough instead of the cool water specified in the bread recipe. Or let the starter sit out, covered until it reaches room temperature (this may take several hours), but don't let it collapse too much before you use it.
• Yield: 28 ounces
• Combine the warm water and yeast in a large bowl and stir with a fork to dissolve the yeast. Let stand for 3 minutes.
• Add the cool water and sponge starter to the yeast mixture and mix with your fingers for about 2 minutes, breaking up the sponge. The mixture should look milky and slightly foamy.
• Add the flour and salt and mix with your fingers to incorporate the flour, scraping the sides of the bowl and folding the ingredients together until the dough gathers into a mass. It will be wet and sticky, with long strands of dough hanging from your fingers. If the dough is not sticky, add 1 tablespoon of water.
• Move the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until it becomes supple and fairly smooth. This is a sticky, wet dough; don't be tempted to add more flour to the work surface. Just dust lightly and use a dough scraper as necessary to loosen the dough from the table during kneading. Allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes, covered with oiled plastic wrap. (This rest period is the autolyse.)
• Knead the dough 3 to 5 minutes, until it is stretchy and smooth, yet still slightly sticky. Shape the dough into a loose ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, and turn the dough in the bowl to coat with oil. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature (75 to 77 degrees) for about 1 hour, or until the dough looks slightly puffy but has not doubled.
• Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, or preferably, overnight to let it relax, develop flavor, and become more manageable.
• Take the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours, until it begins to warm up and starts to rise.
• Flour a work surface well and gently dump the dough onto it. Divide the dough into three equal pieces, about 13 ounces each. Gently flatten one piece, pressing out some of the air bubbles, and stretch it into a rectangle. Fold the top third down and the bottom third up as if you were folding a business letter. Now form the loaf into a short baguette by rolling the dough over from left to right and sealing the seam with the heel of your palm. Fold the dough over about 1/ 3 of the way each time, seal the length of the loaf, then repeat. You want to gently draw the skin tight over the surface of the loaf while leaving some air bubbles in the dough.
• Seal the seam, being careful not to tear the skin of the dough or deflate its airy structure. Do not elongate. These loaves are about 10 inches long. Cover an area on the work surface with a thick layer of flour and place the loaf, seam side down, on the flour. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough. The loaves will be loose and slightly irregular in shape. Leave plenty of space between the loaves they will spread as they rise. Cover the loaves with well oiled plastic and let them rise for 1 to 2 hours, until bubbly and loose.
• Thirty minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Place a baking stone in the oven to preheat and position an oven rack just below the stone.
• Sprinkle a peel very generously with cornmeal. Line an upsidedown baking sheet with parchment paper and sprinkle very generously with cornmeal. Lift one loaf, flip it over so the floured side is on top, and gently tug on the ends to stretch the loaf to the full length of the peel, or about 14 inches on a pan. Repeat with the remaining loaves, placing 2 on the peel and 1 on the pan. Dimple each loaf with your finger in about 6 places, but don't deflate them too much. Be sure the loaves are loosened from the peel, then carefully slide them onto the baking stone. Place the pan of bread on the rack below the stone. Using a plant sprayer, quickly mist the loaves with water 8 to 10 times, then quickly shut oven door. Mist the loaves again after 1 minute. Then mist again 1 minute later.
• Bake for about 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 450 degrees and bake 15 minutes longer or until the loaves sound slightly hollow when tapped on the bottom and the crust is a medium to dark brown. (If the crust is not brown enough, the loaves will soften as they cool.) Transfer the bread to a rack to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

CREATIVE OYSTER LOAF

Steps:

• In a medium saute pan with deep sides begin heating oil. Season cornmeal with Creole spice. Dredge oysters in cornmeal mixture and add to hot oil, without crowding. Cook about 1 1/2 minutes, turning once. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain excess grease on paper towels. Slice bread in half horizontally across the middle. Open up loaf and spread a generous layer of tartar sauce on bottom half. Spread lettuce over and top with perfectly-cooked oysters. Replace bread top and eat immediately.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

PAN FRIED FLOUNDER IN CORNMEAL WITH SMOKED OYSTER-ARTICHOKE RELISH

Steps:

• Combine the yogurt, thyme, and salt and pepper. Spread the yogurt mixture on both sides of the flounder fillets. Season the cornmeal with creole spice. Dredge the flounder in the cornmeal. Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a skillet. Place the crusted flounder into the hot oil. Cook for 3 minutes on each side Drain the fish on a paper towel. Serve the flounder on a plate, topped with the oyster relish. Garnish with parsley.
• Combine, season, and set aside.

OYSTER STEW WITH ANDOUILLE POTATO MASH

Steps:

• Make the potatoes:
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the sausage, stirring, about 6 minutes, then drain on paper towels. Set aside.
• Put the potatoes in a large saucepan, add enough water to cover and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until fork-tender, about 12 minutes. Drain and return the potatoes to the saucepan over medium heat to dry for about 2 minutes. Mash the potatoes with a fork, add the andouille and cream, and stir to mix. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. Keep hot over very low heat.
• Make the stew: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, salt, and black pepper and cook, stirring for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cream and simmer for 3 minutes. Add the oysters, and their liquor, the parsley, Worcestershire, and hot sauce and cook until the edges of the oysters curl, about 4 minutes.
• To serve, spoon equal amounts of the mashed potatoes into small serving bowls and top each with a generous ladleful of the oyster stew. Pass on a tray.

SAN FRANCISCO OYSTER LOAF

Steps:

• Slice the bread in half, lengthwise and scoop out the soft center from the lower half. Save for other use in other dishes. Place both halves of loaf on a baking sheet, cut side up.
• Melt butter in a small sauce pan and blend in onion, garlic, thyme, basil, paprika and cayenne. Brush 2/3 of the butter mixture over cut edges of the bread, covering completely. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes or until slightly browned.
• Rinse oysters in cold water and drain. Mix egg, salt and pepper in small bowl. dip oysters into egg mixture then coat with cracker crumbs. Saute in butter until golden brown.
• Fill lower half of loaf with oyster filling, cover with top of loaf and brush with seasoned butter (pour any remaining butter over the oyster filling).
• Bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Cut into 6 diagonal pieces and garnish each piece with parsley and a lemon wedge. Have Tabasco or Red's hot sauce available for those who desire.
• Serve hot.

CHESAPEAKE OYSTER LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cut top crust of bread off and scoop out inside.
• Butter 1/3 of the scooped out bread and toast in the oven.
• Fry oysters in butter; add cream, celery, pepper, salt, Tabasco and toasted bread.
• Fill the hollowed loaf with this mixture, cover with top crust and bake for 20 minutes, basting often with oyster liquor.
• Slice and serve hot.