Oysters at the beginning of the 19th century were used mainly by representatives of a poor population. As demand for them grew, their number in nature began to decrease, and the prices of these bivalve molluscs began to rise. Today, oysters are considered a delicacy.
Instructions
Step 1
Most types of oysters are edible, and many types can be eaten raw. As a general rule, small shellfish are consumed raw, while larger varieties are used to prepare various dishes. Oysters can be steamed, pan-fried or grilled - it all depends on your desire.
Step 2
To steam oysters, you must rinse them under cold running water to remove any dirt. Look for open or cracked shells - this indicates that the shells are no longer alive and should not be consumed.
Step 3
Pour about 5 cm of water into a saucepan, heat to a boil and add half a glass of beer or a glass of wine for flavor. Place a metal strainer or colander on top of the pot and arrange the oysters in one row on top of it.
Step 4
Steam oysters for about 5-10 minutes over medium heat. When the clams are ready, the shells will open on their own.
Step 5
Another popular way to cook oysters is grilling. You can fry them in one half of the shell, or completely peeled, at your discretion.
Step 6
To remove the shell from the oyster, you must open it with a knife, hold it firmly in a protective glove, or wrap your hand in a towel. Once the blade of the knife enters between the two halves of the shell, make a rotational motion similar to turning the ignition key in a car. After that, remove one half of the shell and cut off the leg of the oyster with a knife.
Step 7
If you choose to grill oysters in half a shell, you can use different combinations of ingredients as seasonings and sauces. The most popular combinations are butter and garlic, butter and soy sauce, a mixture of butter, shallots, fresh parsley, cheese and pepper, and so on.
Step 8
Spread the clams on a grill rack over medium heat, close the lid and cook for 5-10 minutes. Remove them from the grill in such a way that you do not pour out the juice that formed during cooking.
Step 9
A third, less common way to cook oysters is to fry them in a pan. For this, the mollusks must be completely cleaned of their shells.
Step 10
Combine flour, salt and black pepper. Whisk 2 eggs lightly in a separate bowl. Dip the peeled oysters in the egg mixture and then in the salt and pepper flour.
Step 11
Heat a skillet with plenty of vegetable oil, put the shellfish in the boiling oil in one row. Cook over high heat for about two minutes, or until golden brown.
