On The Half Shell With Lemon Grass Mignonette Recipes

CLASSIC MIGNONETTE RECIPE

Steps:

• Using a small, sharp knife, trim shallot ends, leaving root end attached. Cut shallots in half, peel and discard skins. Using your hands, remove the core from each shallot half, leaving layered petals of shallot. Set cores aside for another use.
• Cut shallot petals into pieces that can lie flat on the cutting board, and position them vertically on the board, with root ends farthest from you. Starting with the tip of your knife just below the root end, slice shallot petals into thin strips from pole to pole, leaving them barely attached at root end.
• Rotate shallot petals 90 degrees and cut across the thin strips to make very finely diced pieces. Using bench scraper, transfer minced shallots to small bowl; discard root end scraps. Pour vinegar over shallots, and set bowl aside.
• In a small skillet over medium heat, toast peppercorns until fragrant and warm to the touch, shaking skillet occasionally to ensure that they toast evenly and don't burn, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer peppercorns to small bowl and let them cool for 1 minute.
• Crack peppercorns into rough halves and quarters. You can use a mortar and pestle; or a large mallet, meat pounder, or the bottom of a skillet or saucepan to crush them (doing this in a rimmed baking sheet, or wrapping the peppercorns in a clean kitchen towel, will help contain them).
• Add cracked peppercorns to bowl with shallots and vinegar, and stir to combine. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour to allow flavors to marry. If you are not planning to serve immediately, transfer mignonette to the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to 3 days. Serve with oysters on the half-shell.

OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL WITH MIGNONETTE

Steps:

• Stir together shallot, peppercorns, and vinegar in a small bowl. Arrange oysters over ice. Serve with mignonette and lemon wedges.

RAW OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL WITH CUCUMBER MIGNONETTE

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.

LEMON GRASS TEA (CERIUM LIMAO)

Steps:

• In a large teapot, combine the lemon grass with about 6 cups of rapidly boiling, fresh water. Cover the teapot with a thick towel and allow to steep for 5 to 10 minutes, or until very aromatic. Pour into teacups, sweeten and serve with a twist of lemon, if desired.

OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL WITH FENNEL-CORIANDER MIGNONETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix fennel, shallots, coriander and vinegar. Spoon on top of oysters. Put one dash of hot pepper sauce on each oyster. Place on plate of ice and fennel sprigs and serve immediately.

OYSTERS ON THE HALF SHELL WITH ORIENTAL MIGNONETTE

Steps:

• Combine first 4 ingredients in small bowl. Let stand 15 minutes.
• To open oysters: Using towel, hold oyster flat on work surface, flat shell up. Insert tip of oyster knife into hinge and twist to open shell. Slide knife along inside of upper shell to free oyster from shell; discard upper shell. Slide knife under oyster to free from lower shell; leave in shell. Repeat with remaining oysters. Arrange oysters on edge of two plates. Divide sauce between 2 small bowls. Place one bowl in the center of each plate and serve.