Oysters Tsai Recipes

TURNIP CAKE WITH FRESH OYSTER RAGOUT

Steps:

• In a saucepan, boil the daikon with 1 1/4 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Cook until soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well. In a large bowl, mix rice flour, salt, pepper and sugar. Stir in 1 1/4 cup of water until mixture is smooth. Add the drained daikon, lapchong and dried shrimp then transfer mix to a 2 quart saucepan and cook on medium heat, constantly stirring. The mix will come to a boil and start to thicken. Immediately pour mixture into a 10-inch cake pan that has been oiled and lined with oiled parchment. Place pan in steamer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until set. Remove cake from steamer and allow to cool completely before slicing into 1/2-inch slices. In a non-stick pan add a touch of oil and pan fry both sides of slices golden brown.
• OYSTER RAGOUT: In a small saucepan coated with oil, caramelize the shallots. Add the oyster sauce, sugar and chicken stock. Reduce by 50 percent. Check for seasoning. Add butter. Add oysters to just warm them.
• PLATING On small plates, cover with oyster ragout and top with hot turnip cake. Garnish with scallions.
• Drink Recommendation: Chrysanthemum and Jasmine Tea

SAUTEED LETTUCE AND OYSTERS

Steps:

• In a hot wok coated with oil, add the ginger and fry until golden brown. Add the lettuce and stir-fry until soft. Add the oyster sauce, oysters and season with salt and pepper. Stir-fry for 30 seconds then add the butter. Check for seasoning.

STEAMED AND CURRY FLASHED OYSTERS

Steps:

• Prepare a large steamer basket lined with romaine, banana leaves or Napa cabbage. Top each oyster with ginger, scallions, a squirt of juice and black pepper. Steam hard for 3 to 5 minutes until the oysters are warm to hot in the middle. Meanwhile, heat the curry oil to very hot. Place the steamed oysters on a bed of rock salt.
• PLATING Flash each oyster with 1 teaspoon of oil. Serve as soon as possible.
• WINE: Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Blanc de Blanc

FLASHED-STEAMED OYSTERS ON TRUFFLED LETTUCE FONDUE

Steps:

• Preheat a steamer. Shuck the oysters and loosen from bottom shell. In a saucepan on medium heat, melt the butter and saute the shallots. Add the lettuce and stir until 'melted'. Add the cream and simmer. Reduce by 50 percent. Add the soy and truffles. Check for seasoning. Set aside to cool. When cool, lift each oyster and place 1/2 tablespoon of lettuce mix under each oyster. Top each oyster with scallions and ginger. Place oysters in the steamer and steam hard for 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the canola and truffle oils until very hot. Remove oysters from the steamer and place on a large platter lined with coarse salt. Spoon hot oil on each oyster and serve immediately.
• Suggested Wines: Veuve Royale Brut, French Sparkling Wine; Tablas Hills, Paso Robles Red Wine; Cuvee Rouge, 1995 (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend)

OYSTER-CORN FRITTER WITH THREE VINEGAR EMULSION

Steps:

• Whip egg whites to hard peak. In a large stainless steel bowl, mix polenta, milk, oil and egg yolks. Fold in egg whites and corn. Add scallions, chiles, sugar, salt and pepper. Should have a consistency of thick pancake butter. Coat oysters lightly in flour. Dip oysters in batter and deep fry for 3 to 4 minutes until the fritters are GB&D (golden, brown and delicious). Season fritters immediately after frying. Place small mound of salad in the middle of a white plate and surround with fritters. Drizzle plate with emulsion.
• Mix all three vinegars and reduce in a stainless steel pan on low heat. Reduce by 80 percent until a syrup consistency is achieved. Place shallots, syrup, salt and pepper in a blender cup. Blend at high speed while drizzling in the oil. Check for seasoning.