GREEN BUTTER GRILLED OYSTERS

GREEN BUTTER GRILLED OYSTERS

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Argh!  Family holidays (Yes, mom, what!?)… the only kind that (wait, can’t you see that I”m… what?!) leaves you more stressed than rested (no, NO, for the last time I don’t want to eat with Uncle I-don’t-actually-know-you again!) afterwards…

As I’m still peddling through mine, I’ll quickly leaving you an awesome party appetizer idea that acts like a bread-dip that comes with its own serving-dish!  One of the most fiercely beautiful and yummy thing I made before I began my Christmas stress-a-thon, when I could still take a piss without anxiety.  So enjoy.  It’s almost New Years Eve.  Breath in… breath out…

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Not a professional oyster shucker?  So am I.  Here is how an amateur shuck oysters.

Normally people highly regard the oyster liquor as something precious, but in this case I’m eliminating it because:  a).  The oysters I use for grilling usually wouldn’t be some fancy Grade-A stuff that I buy straight out of an oyster farm or something.  Could be cheaper options that I purchased from supermarket that I’m not at all planning on eating raw.  Hence, not so “precious” anyways.  b).  The oysters themselves will release quite an amount of juice during broiling, and to avoid “over-flowing” which means that what’s really precious in this case – the green butter – will be pushed out of the shell.  So, as little liquid inside the oysters as possible before applying the green butter, ok.

Other party hor d’oeuvres ideas:  Spicy salmon hand rolls, lamb cigars with yogurt dip, corn and seaweed tempura poppers, and chickapea for your four-legged guests.

Ingredients:

  • 1 dozen medium-size oysters on the half-shell
  • 12 tbsp of freshly grated pecorino cheese (1 tbsp for each oysters)
  • 1 rustic loaf of bread, sliced
  • Green butter (enough for 1 dozen oysters):
    • 10 1/2 tbsp (150 grams) of unsalted butter
    • 1/2 cup (25 grams) of parsley leaves
    • 3 cloves of garlic
    • 1 anchovy fillet in olive oil
    • 1/2 tsp of sea salt
    • 1/2 tsp of ground white pepper

Preheat the broiler on high.

Add all the ingredients under “green butter” into a food-processor, and run until the mixture is smoothly pureed.  Set aside.  Drain most of the oyster liquor out of the shells (save it for some awesome seafood stew) and make sure the interior of the shell is squeaky-clean from any dirts/muds/broken shells, then apply about 1 tbsp of green butter inside each oyster.  It helps the butter stay if you smear it again the side of the shells, instead of trying to make it stick to the oyster meats.

Arrange the oyster on an oven-proof platter, in a way/angle that the oyster are not slanting too much that liquid can escape easily.  Place the platter on the upper level in the oven, only 2″ ~ 3″ (5 cm ~ 7 cm) under the broiler.  Broil the oysters until 90% cooked through, approximately 4~5 min for medium-sized oysters (add 1 more minute to large oysters).  Then take out the platter and apply approx 1 tbsp of freshly grated pecorino cheese, evenly on top of each oysters.  Return the platter under the broiler and bake until the top is melted and golden browned, another 1~2 min (watch closely because it’ll happen fast).

Serve the oysters immediately with sliced country breads (be careful of the super hot shells).  It’s all about dipping the bread inside those green liquid gold…

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12 Comments
  • Irene

    December 28, 2013 at 3:39 PM Reply

    How would this green sauce paired with clams and a spaghetti taste?

    • Mandy L.

      December 29, 2013 at 2:24 AM Reply

      Irene, oh, I would think it’d be awesome!

  • Belinda@themoonblushbaker

    December 28, 2013 at 6:20 PM Reply

    I feel you Mandy. This is why I am sometimes thankful my family is half way across the world.
    I hope you can still enjoy your self!

    mmmm… I could go for one of these at any party!

  • Laurie

    December 29, 2013 at 6:14 AM Reply

    Oh fuck,

    You are killing me! I have no fresh oysters at this moment in time and I LOVE this recipe! The anchovy is such a cool addition. Sounds perfect! Not too rich but enough!

    By the way, our latest Christmas outing produced a cold for my husband (certainly from the children, LOL), so, I may have to make and eat these oysters all by myself, (unless, I too, get the dreaded cold!)

    I did make some delicious shrimp/seafood bisque recently and a Tres Leches cake. Working out is on the menu soon……

  • Sans

    January 1, 2014 at 1:58 PM Reply

    Go Mandy!!!

  • Atika

    January 1, 2014 at 9:06 PM Reply

    Simply adore this. Gotta make at home

  • Laurie

    January 2, 2014 at 7:14 AM Reply

    Hey Mandy,

    I made these for New Year’s Eve. Soooo good!!!!!!! (My husband was well enough to eat them!)

    I did cheat a little, though. Instead of shucking the oysters and using their shells, I bought freshly shucked oysters and used scallop shells instead. I used about three oysters per shell. They worked out really well. I use these shells for Oysters Rockefeller, or Casino or any scallop preparation. They’re quite handy. I’ve had the same shells since 1998 and only had one chip. Can’t believe they hold up so well after so much use.

    I wish you and your husband and the pups a great year ahead. I am picturing happiness in my thoughts.

    • Mandy L.

      January 2, 2014 at 2:34 PM Reply

      Laurie, that’s a great idea! Saving shells from scallops and such for future use! I once saved a really beautiful abalone shell from Japan but it has a few natural holes on the side… proven to be more decorative than useful…

  • Laurie

    January 2, 2014 at 3:56 PM Reply

    Mandy, we once had caviar served in abalone shells. They were beautiful, and of course could hold the small amount of caviar! They are also good for holding a smudge stick.

  • sara

    January 5, 2014 at 10:28 AM Reply

    YUM. these look amazing!!!

  • Niko

    January 8, 2014 at 12:55 AM Reply

    Holy f*#k, I just found your website and my jaw has been on the floor for the last 45 minutes. Sick site and I can’t wait to try this recipe!
    Other food bloggers take note- this is how you curate a website!

  • Rachel

    January 14, 2014 at 12:50 AM Reply

    These look amazing and easy. Can’t wait to try this. It would be a great recipe to use with an Oyster of the Month Club – Chef’s Fresh Fish has a great one! – http://www.chefsfreshfish.com/product-p/e3003.htm

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