R is for Oysters....

Well, not really. But it's the best way to remember which months are the best for oysters.  September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April - all of the other months of the year, oysters are busy reproducing, and are a little skinny, so they really are only recommended for the  barbecue.  

(photo taken at Hog Island Oysters at the Ferry Building in San Francisco)

 

On the barbecue is about the only way that I will eat them!  Some of my favorite memories  of eating oysters, were grilled on my dad's barbecue, dipped in a spicy bbq sauce, on a hot summer day on the back of the Gypsy Miss.. .It was so fun to be anchored in Westcott Bay, in the San Juan Islands, we could then dingy into  Westcott Bay Sea Farms, and buy their fresh oysters right off their dock.  Little tiny Westcott petites.. a cross between  the Miyagi from Central Honshu and the delicious, tiny Kumamoto from Kyush, rich, sweet, salty. So perfect when dipped in lemon + melted  butter, or a spicy sauce.  My dad still talks about those oysters!

Growing up we had oysters on our beach, but the tide was too swift, and although my dad tried everything to get them to stay on the beach they would simply get swept out with the tide. Or the starfish and moon snails would feast on them, leaving nothing but the shells. Luckily, we were close to Hood Canal, and we did have friends that would invite my dad to bring a bucket to their beach!

(photo taken at Twanoh State Park - Hood Canal)

I digress...

Since we are starting prime oyster-enjoying season, I thought I would share some oyster ideas with you.   Who knows?  Even I, non-oyster girl,  might give these another shot!  They are Tom's favorite food.....

(Make sure to check out our pretty oyster shells votive holders - hand crafted on Cape Cod)


 
 

Oyster Stew - This recipe is pretty darn simple, and one that came from my grandmother and my brother, Jeff.  I had to call him to get the low-down. According to my him, this is all you need - no extra potatoes, etc.

• 2 dozen extra small oysters
• 4 cups milk
• 2 cups cream
• 1 /4 cup leek, onion or celery which ever you prefer
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 T. of chives finely chopped

1. Combine milk and cream in medium saucepan. Drain oysters, save "liquor" and add to milk mixture.  Heat milk mixture slowly until hot, but below boiling point.

2.  Saute' veggies in 2 T. of the butter until soft.  Add oysters and saute' briefly until edges are slightly curled.  Transfer oyster mixture to milk, and add salt and pepper.  Cook until oysters are nice and plump, about 3-4 minutes. Serve with chopped chives, and some french bread - enjoy! 
(Small Seashell Bowls - $26.99 set/4)

 Fried Oyster Caesar Salad - 

(Oyster Salad Plates - $8.99)

Sent to me by one of my Facebook Friends - Imageglow Candles, from Joanne Weir's culinary website and blog. (serious foodies need to check her out!)

18 fresh oysters in their shell
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 whole eggs
1 cup dry bread crumbs
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Oil for deep frying, peanut, corn or olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced                                           
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 anchovy fillets, soaked in cold water 10 minutes, patted dry and mashed
1 egg yolk
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 small hearts of romaine, leaves separated
1/2 cup grated Parmigiana Reggiano

Shuck the oysters and reserve them separately from the oyster liquor from the shell.  Discard the shells.

Place the flour in a bowl.  Place the eggs in another bowl and whisk with 2 tablespoons water.  Place the bread crumbs in a third bowl.  Season the flour and bread crumbs with salt and pepper.  Dredge the oysters in the flour first and tap off the excess.  Next dip them in the egg mixture and then in the bread crumbs.

In a small saucepan heat 1-inch of oil to 375°F.

For the dressing, in a bowl, whisk together the reserved oyster liquor, the garlic, mustard, lemon juice, mashed anchovies and egg yolk until well blended.  Add the olive oil slowly in a steady stream and whisk until smooth.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Deep fry the oysters, a few at a time, until golden, 1 minute.  Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Place the lettuce in a large bowl and toss with the dressing until the leaves are coated.  Add half of the Parmigiano and toss again.  Place on serving plates and top each plate with 3 oysters and sprinkle the top with the remaining Parmigiana.  Serve immediately. 

This might be the perfect salad bowl for your gorgeous Caesar Salad!

 Giant Shell  Serving Bowl - $62.99

Of course, you could always just make it simple and serve fresh, on the half shell.... a little lemon, some cocktail sauce...


Beachcomber Oyster Plates - $29.95

Traditional Oysters Rockfeller (from All Recipes.com)

• 2 slices bacon
• 24 unopened, fresh, live medium oysters
• 1 1/2 cups cooked spinach
• 1/3 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon anise flavored liqueur
• 4 cups kosher salt - spread on a serving platter (17" Oyster Shaped Serving Platter)

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
2. Clean oysters and place in a large stockpot. Pour in enough water to cover oysters; bring the water and oysters to a boil. Remove from heat and drain and cool oysters. When cooled break the top shell off of each oyster.
3. Using a food processor, chop the bacon, spinach, bread crumbs, green onions, and parsley. Add the salt, hot sauce, olive oil and anise-flavored liqueur and process until finely chopped but not pureed, about 10 seconds.
4. Arrange the oysters in their half shells on a pan with kosher salt. Spoon some of the spinach mixture on each oyster. Bake 10 minutes until cooked through, then change the oven's setting to broil and broil until browned on top. Serve hot and bubbly! 

There's a few recipes to get you started for the oyster months!