Raw Oysters With Three Dipping Sauces Recipes

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:

• Chipotle Mignonette: Combine the vinegar, chipotle, peppercorns, shallots, cilantro, and honey. Season to taste with salt and pepper and chill. Ginger-Lime Relish: In a medium saucepan, combine the juices, ginger, garlic and honey and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce by half and set aside to cool. When the syrup has cooled to room temperature, add the shallots, cilantro, lime segments, and zest. Season to taste with salt and pepper and pour into a nonreactive bowl. Horseradish Sauce: Combine all ingredients. This recipe yields 4 servings.

Steps:

• Horseradish: Coarsely chop horseradish, then transfer to food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add sugar, salt and vinegar and pulse to combine.
• Jalapeno Mignonette: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk to dissolve sugar.
• Red Wine Mignonette: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk to dissolve sugar.
• Oysters: Just before serving, arrange chilled and freshly shucked oysters on a platter filled with crushed ice. Pour sauces into small serving bowls and place alongside oysters with lemon wedges. (Sauces can be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 week.)