Oysters On The Half Shell With Mignonette Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Stir together shallot, peppercorns, and vinegar in a small bowl. Arrange oysters over ice. Serve with mignonette and lemon wedges.

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.

Steps:

• Combine first 4 ingredients in small bowl. Let stand 15 minutes.
• To open oysters: Using towel, hold oyster flat on work surface, flat shell up. Insert tip of oyster knife into hinge and twist to open shell. Slide knife along inside of upper shell to free oyster from shell; discard upper shell. Slide knife under oyster to free from lower shell; leave in shell. Repeat with remaining oysters. Arrange oysters on edge of two plates. Divide sauce between 2 small bowls. Place one bowl in the center of each plate and serve.