Panko Fried Oysters For Two Recipes

Steps:

• HOT SAUCE: Mix all ingredients together.
• To allow flavors to blend, refrigerate several hours.
• Hot Sauce will keep several days in the refrigerator.
• Be sure to cover it tightly.
• Line colander with two layers of paper towel.
• Rinse oysters, drain and put in colander, patting to dry.
• EGG DIP: In small bowl, add egg and milk; whisk to blend well.
• If using only egg whites, do not whisk enough to be dry/frothy.
• FLOUR COATING: Put all ingredients in small plastic bag and shake to mix well.
• PANKO COATING: in a small bowl, add ingredients and mix well.
• TO BREAD OYSTERS: Step 1: Dip 2 or 3 oysters in Egg Dip, letting any excess drain off.
• Step 2: Place them in Flour Coating, shaking to completely coat oysters.
• Remove from Flour Mixture.
• Step 3: Repeat step 1.
• Step 4: Place them in Panko Coating bowl.
• Roll them over and get them completely coated with bread crumbs.
• With tongs, gently remove them from breadcrumbs and place in a single layer on a baking tray lined with plastic wrap.
• Repeat Steps 1-4 until all oysters are breaded.
• Cover breaded oysters with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or more.
• This breading can be done up to 8 hours ahead.
• TO FRY OYSTERS: Heat frying oil in deep pan to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• With tongs, gently remove oysters from baking sheet and gently drop them into the hot oil.
• Fry the oysters in small (6-8 oysters each) batches to keep from lowering the temperature of the oil too much.
• Fry about 2 minutes or until golden brown on one side, turn and brown other side (about 1-2 minutes).
• Remove from oil and drain on layers of paper towels.
• NOTE: After cooking one batch of oysters, let the temperature of the oil return to about 375, before cooking the next batch.
• If the oil temperature is not hot enough before adding the oysters, they will taste greasy, rather than light.
• Serve immediately with Hot Sauce.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Whisk eggs in a small bowl.
• Combine panko bread crumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Seal and shake to combine.
• Dip shrimp in the beaten egg, shaking off excess. Drop shrimp into the bag of panko mixture and shake to coat. Place shrimp on a plate and repeat with remaining shrimp.
• Drop shrimp in batches into the preheated deep fryer and cook until breading is browned and shrimp are opaque, about 1 1/2 minutes per batch.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining shrimp.

Steps:

• Prepare the oysters: Season flour with salt and pepper. Dredge each oyster in the flour, then dip in the beaten egg, then coat evenly in the panko.
• Set breaded oysters on a baking cooling rack, leaving a little room between the oysters so they can dry and set. Refrigerate until ready to fry and serve.
• Make the sauce: Finely mince garlic with a pinch of salt until sticky and pasty. Mince shallots, cornichons and capers as finely as possible. Add all to a small bowl. Stir in mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, caper brine and cornichon vinegar, and stir well. Add chopped parsley, stir well and season to taste with salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Fry the oysters: Melt enough shortening in a deep medium skillet (we love cast iron) over medium for 1 1/2 inches of liquified fat once hot. Increase heat to medium-high. It's ready to fry in when a few crumbs of panko or the tip of a wooden chopstick sizzles actively in the fat.
• Add the oysters cold from the refrigerator, working in batches of 6 to 8 or as you have room. Fry, making sure to turn them to get both sides, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes, depending on size. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider, and let rest on a clean rack while you fry the rest. Season each batch with a little salt while still piping hot, as soon as you pull them from the fat. Serve with tartar sauce.