Raw Oysters With Mignonette Sauce Recipes

RAW OYSTERS WITH MIGNONETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• In saucepan over medium heat, add white wine and shallots, and reduce for 5 to 8 minutes, to half of the original volume. Add the sherry, parsley and lemon juice, cook for additional 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the anchovies, allow to cool for 20 minutes, then stir again before topping the oysters. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately.

RAW OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL WITH CUCUMBER MIGNONETTE

Steps:

• For the Oysters:
• Begin by shucking oysters. Find a durable, thick cloth and fold it over several times to create a square; this will steady the oysters as you shuck them and also protect your hand. Using the towel as a mitt, hold the oyster firmly on a flat surface. Insert the tip of your oyster knife between the shell halves, and work it around 1 side to the other as you pry it open. Using the knife, cut the muscles away from the top, flat shell, bend the shell back, and discard it. Run the knife underneath the oyster to detach it completely, but leave it in its shell (take care not to cut the meat itself). Nestle the oysters in a bed of crushed ice or wet rock salt to keep them steady. Serve immediately.
• For the Cucumber Mignonette Sauce:
• In a small bowl, combine the rice wine vinegar, shallots, ginger, cucumber, sugar and black pepper; mixing with a fork. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour or up to the day before you plan to serve, to allow the flavors to come together. Serve with raw oysters.
• For the Cocktail Sauce:
• Mix ingredients in a blender to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

FRESHLY SHUCKED OYSTERS AND SAUCE MIGNONETTE WITH A TWIST!

Steps:

• For the Mignonette sauce: Combine all the ingredients togther in a jam jar or sealed container - shake thoroughly and allow the flavours to mingle for at least 1 hour before serving.
• Serve (in a little bowl with a small spoon) with freshly shucked oysters.
• Excess sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
• How to open the oysters: Hold an oyster firmly with a cloth in one hand.
• and the hinged end towards you. Insert a knife in the area where the two.
• shells meet and prise open with a twisting action. Slide the blade along the inside edge of the shell to sever the muscle holding the shells together. Cut the muscle attachment to lower shell. Turn the oyster meat for best presentation.
• NB: The best way to serve raw oysters is on a platter of crushed ice, or sometimes you see them presented on a bed of seaweed.
• At a dinner party allow 6 oysters per person as a starter.
• A live oyster uses its muscle to hold the shells tightly closed. When an oyster weakens, the shell gapes open and if it will not close when tapped, it should be discarded.
• Oysters will keep for up to one week if stored correctly, deep shell down in a fridge or cool place. Cover with a damp cloth to prevent dehydration. Never store in water.
• Oysters can be frozen for up to 3 months just as other fish products. The shells will open on thawing BUT CONSUME STRAIGHT AWAY.
• Champagne is possibly the best drink to serve with oysters, or Bucks fizz if eating oysters for breakfast.
• Other wines that go well with oysters are light dry and slightly acidic wines like Muscadet.
• As the wine has to compete with the salty, natural flavour of oysters, a fuller bodied wine distracts from both the taste of wine and the oyster.
• In Ireland you will always get served oysters with Guinness, and a very dry cold sherry in Spain.
• Personally I like Sancerre, Vouvray or Chablis with my oysters!