Oysters With Festive Mignonette Recipes

OYSTERS WITH A CLASSIC MIGNONETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• Stir together the vinegar, shallots and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a small bowl. Let sit for at least 10 minutes to let the flavors combine. Drizzle the sauce over the oysters.

ROASTED OYSTERS WITH WARM BUTTER MIGNONETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Stir shallot, vinegar, and 1 Tbsp. water in a small bowl; set aside. Line a plate with salt (this will help hold the oysters in place without tipping out their juices) and set aside.
• Rinse oysters, then arrange flat side up on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until oysters crack open, 4-6 minutes. (They won't open completely like a cooked clam; the top shell will separate from the bottom with about a 1/4" opening at the rounded end.) Some may open before others-remove from oven as soon as they open. Discard any oysters that don't open after 7 minutes.
• To finish opening oysters: Fold a dish towel several times and hold oyster using towel. Slide a butter knife into opening all the way to the hinge. Turn butter knife perpendicular so top shell pops all the way open. Pull off top shell with your hand, being careful not to tip bottom shell and lose any liquid (this should all happen very easily without much force). Gently slide knife under oyster in bottom shell to release the muscle, then transfer to plate with salt.
• Stir butter into reserved vinegar mixture. Spoon over oysters.

OYSTERS WITH FESTIVE MIGNONETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine peppercorns, fennel seed, vinegars, and salt.
• Shuck oysters just before serving; arrange on bed of crushed ice. Drizzle with mignonette, or serve on the side. Serve immediately.

GRILLED OYSTERS WITH JALAPENO-HERB MIGNONETTE

Steps:

• Heat the grill to high for direct grilling.
• Stir together the vinegar, lime juice, honey, onions, jalapeno, chopped herbs and some salt and pepper in a small bowl. Let sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Remove the tops of the oysters over a bowl, catching any of the oyster liquor that comes out. Add the liquid back to the bottom shell with the oyster. Put on the grill and grill until the liquid just begins to simmer but the oysters are still a little raw in the center, about 4 minutes. Carefully remove with tongs to a platter and top each oyster with a teaspoon of the mignonette.