Best 2 To Tango Oysters On The Half Shell Recipes

AMUSE BOUCHE OF THYMEROASTED OYSTERS IN THE SHELL

Steps:

• Remove the oyster from the shell and place on paper towels. Reserve the bottom half of the shell and scrub well. Pick 6 sprigs of thyme and reserve for garnish. Sprinkle the other thyme over the oysters and season with pepper. Heat the olive oil in a small saute pan and add the oysters, thyme side down. Cook for 20 seconds until oysters are lightly brown. Return the oyster to bottom shell with a drop of lamb jus. Mound the salt over 6 small plates and place the oyster and shell on the salt. Garnish with remaining thyme sprigs.

OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL WITH RED WINE VINEGAR SAUCE

Steps:

• In a blender puree shallots with the red wine vinegar until smooth. Set aside. Shuck oysters. Shucked oysters may be kept, covered with a wet towel, in the refrigerator up to an hour. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of sauce over each oyster to cover with a thin layer. Serve immediately.

CRUDO ON THE HALF SHELL

Steps:

• Place the scallops in a single layer in a resealable plastic bag and freeze for 1 hour. (This makes them firmer and easier to dice.) Cut the frozen scallops into 1/4 -inch pieces.
• Rinse the clams under cold water to remove any grit. Shuck the clams: Slide a clam knife between the shells and twist to pry them apart. Detach the clam from the top shell, then slide your knife under the clam to detach it from the bottom shell. Remove any shell fragments from the meat, then coarsely chop. (Clean and reserve 16 half shells for serving.)
• Toss the scallops and clams with the lemon juice, olive oil and jalapeno in a medium bowl. Spoon into the reserved clam shells. Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately.

OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL WITH FENNEL-CORIANDER MIGNONETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix fennel, shallots, coriander and vinegar. Spoon on top of oysters. Put one dash of hot pepper sauce on each oyster. Place on plate of ice and fennel sprigs and serve immediately.

RAW OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL

Steps:

• Scrub the oysters under cold water with a stiff brush to remove the dirt, especially in the hinge area where mud has a tendency to get trapped. Next, 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, place the oyster, cup-side down in the palm of your towel-covered hand with the hinge facing you; have a small bowl handy to catch the delicious juice. Insert the tip of an oyster knife or dull butter knife as far into the hinge as it will go; don't jab it in there or you could break the shell. With gentle force, twist the knife back and forth to pry the shell open. Using the knife, cut the muscle away from the top shell, bend the shell back, and discard it. Run the knife underneath the oyster to detach it completely, but leave it in its shell. Tip out the briny liquor into the bowl and pour it back over the shucked oysters. Nestle the oysters in a bed of crushed ice or rock salt to keep them steady. Spoon the Cucumber Mignonette on top and serve as part of a raw shellfish bar.
• In a small bowl, combine the rice wine vinegar, shallots, ginger, cucumber, black pepper, and cilantro; 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 and clams.