Pepper-Poached Oysters

A seafood recipe for Scant 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice.

OtherChickenEasy63 minBy Northstar

Ingredients

Servings
4
  • rge oysters with liquor, shells reserved
  • 1 (8 ounce) bottle clam juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons black peppercorns
  • 2 garlic cloves, roasted
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Scant 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 tablespoons extra−virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lime

Instructions

  1. 1

    Drain oysters; pour liquor into a small saucepan. Add enough of the clam juice to the liquor just to cover the oysters.

  2. 2

    Bring the liquid to a boil, add oysters, and reduce heat to a simmer. Poach the oysters about 3 to 4 minutes, or until their edges curl and they begin to plump.

  3. 3

    With a slotted spoon, remove the oysters immediately, and set them aside. Reserve the poaching liquid.

  4. 4

    With a mortar and pestle or a mini−food processor, combine peppercorns, garlic, salt and allspice until they form a paste.

  5. 5

    Add two tablespoons of the oyster poaching liquid to the paste, and blend the paste.

  6. 6

    Drop the bay leaf into the poaching liquid, and return it to a boil. Reduce the liquid to about 1/2 cup.

  7. 7

    Stir in the spice paste, and then add the oysters.

  8. 8

    Remove the saucepan from the heat, and stir in the olive oil and lime juice.

  9. 9

    Refrigerate the oysters in the poaching liquid, covered, for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.

  10. 10

    Place oysters on the half shells with about a teaspoon of the liquid for each. Garnish the oysters with lime wedges.

Tags

americanessential-seafoodother