Crispy Oysters With Chile Dipping Sauce Recipes

FRIED OYSTERS

Steps:

• For the Tartar Sauce: Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350°F, in a deep cast iron skillet, or in a Dutch oven over medium heat to a depth of about 2-3 inches, until it reaches 350°F. If you don't have a deep-fry thermometer, sprinkle a few drops of water on the hot oil. If it sizzles, the oil is hot enough.
• Drain the oysters in a colander and pat dry with paper towels. Use a toothpick to poke a small hole in the large round part of each oyster.
• Put the buttermilk in a shallow dish. In a separate shallow dish, combine the cornmeal, flour, salt, Old Bay seasoning and pepper.
• Add the oysters to the buttermilk and soak for a few minutes. Remove the oysters from the buttermilk, gently shake off excess liquid, and dredge in cornmeal mixture to coat on all sides. Shake off excess breading and transfer to a wire rack.
• Working in batches so that you don't overcrowd the pan, fry oysters until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels, season with additional salt and pepper (if necessary) while they're still warm, and serve hot with tartar sauce or other dipping sauce.

CRISP-FRIED OYSTERS WITH RED CHILE VINEGAR-BLACK PEPPER DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Season oysters with salt and pepper on both sides. Place cornmeal in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Dredge each oyster into the cornmeal and tap off any excess.
• Heat 1 inch of oil in a large cast iron skillet until smoking. Fry oysters in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 1 minutes on each side.
• Serve with the Red Chile Vinegar-Black Pepper Dipping Sauce on the side.
• Bring the vinegar to a boil in medium non-reactive saucepan. Add the chilies, turn off the heat and let steep for 1 hour. Strain into a clean saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and whisk in the honey and pepper and season with salt, to taste. Serve at room temperature.

RAW OYSTERS WITH 3 DIPPING SAUCES

Steps:

• For the mignonette: Combine the vinegar, chipotle, peppercorns, shallots, cilantro, and honey. Season to taste with salt and pepper and chill.
• For the relish: In a medium saucepan, combine the juices, ginger, garlic and honey and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce by half and set aside to cool. When the syrup has cooled to room temperature, add the shallots, cilantro, lime segments, and zest. Season to taste with salt and pepper and pour into a nonreactive bowl.
• For the horseradish sauce: Combine all ingredients.
• For the oysters: Serve the oysters on ice with the mignonette, relish and horseradish sauce.

ROASTED ONION AND SMOKED CHILE OYSTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Start by caramelizing the onions: place the onions in a skillet over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Saute, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn a rich, deep-golden brown, about 30 minutes.
• Next, in a 1-quart or larger saucepan on medium heat, saute the shallots in the remaining 1 tablespoon oil until translucent and the edges begin to brown.
• Mince the caramelized onions and add to the shallots, along with the wine and vinegar. Reduce the liquid until syrupy and almost gone. Add the cream and chipotle, and reduce the liquid, until thickened by half. Add the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
• Turn down the heat to the lowest setting and stir in the cold butter a little at a time until melted. Repeat until all of the butter has been incorporated. Turn off the heat (you do not want this mixture to come to a boil once the butter has been added) and re-check for salt and pepper.
• Keep the sauce in a warm place until ready to serve or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• To reheat, warm a couple tablespoons of cream in a small saucepan over low heat, and stir in the cold sauce a little bit at a time until completely incorporated (do not boil).
• Serve with fresh oysters.

SWEET CHILE DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• To a small saucepan, add water, vinegar, and sugar; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, roughly slice chiles and garlic. Place in a food processor with salt and pulse to a rough chop; add to the pot. Turn heat to low to maintain a steady simmer and cook, uncovered, until the liquid thickens slightly and becomes just slightly syrupy, 8-12 minutes. Cool to room temperature. The sauce will thicken further as it cools. Makes ¾ cup. You can store it in the refrigerator in a sealed container for months; the flavor improves as the ingredients continue to meld.