Traditional Abalone Recipes

TRADITIONAL ABALONE

Steps:

• Slice the abalone into 1/4 inch thick steaks, making sure to trim off any meat that is not white, as this part tends to be very tough. Place the steaks on a cutting board, and pound with a meat tenderizer until pliable.
• In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, horseradish, and lime juice to make a cocktail sauce. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Whisk eggs and milk together in a shallow dish. Place bread crumbs in a large resealable plastic bag. Dip the abalone steaks in egg, then place in the bag with the crumbs and shake to coat.
• Fry coated abalone for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain. Place on a platter, and garnish with lime slices and parsley. Serve with the cocktail sauce for dipping.

MONTEREY BAY ABALONE, MEUNIèRE-STYLE

Steps:

• The day before serving, force a large tablespoon between the abalone and its shell, sliding the spoon against the shell to dislodge the shell muscle. (The side not attached to the shell is called the foot.) Using your hands, peel off the narrow flap (a k a the mantle) near the head - the area with two black prongs - then remove the innards that surround the central, round shell muscle. If you cannot grab the mantle, slice it slightly to allow you to grip it better, trying not to pierce the innards, which are attached to the abalone at the head. Cut out the innards and the head in one small chunk and discard. Put the abalone on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. (This step is necessary to relax the abalone and prevent it from splitting when pounded.) Repeat with the remaining abalones.
• The next morning, make crisscross incisions about 1?4 inch apart and 1?4 inch deep on the bottom of the round shell muscle of each abalone. Place the abalone, foot-side down, on a dish towel. Fold the other edge of the towel over the abalone to completely cover. Pound two to three times gently but firmly with the even side of a meat pounder, slightly flattening the abalone without disfiguring it. (Do not use a tenderizer or the cubed side of a meat pounder. Use only a flat surface.) Repeat with the remaining abalones. Return them to a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• Toss the abalones in flour, shaking off excess. Heat the butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. When it foams, place the abalones in the pan, foot-side up. While gently shaking the pan, allow the butter to slowly turn to a hazelnut brown with a nutty aroma. After about 2 minutes, turn the abalones and cook for 1 minute more. Both the abalones and the butter should be golden brown. Add the parsley and lemon juice and shake the pan to coat with the juices. Place the abalones on a plate and spoon over a bit of the juices. If you choose, top with a pinch of fleur de sel.

FRESH STEAMED ABALONE WITH TALAPIA FILLET

Steps:

• Cut the fish fillet into 2 inch by 1-inch pieces. In a glass bowl, mix the salt, white pepper, chopped ginger, and egg white. Add the fish fillets and marinate them for at least 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
• To make the sauce: Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening the sauce). Place the remaining sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan and heat to boiling. Stir in cornstarch mixture and continue to cook until sauce thickens. Turn off heat and set aside.
• Rinse the abalone with cold water and pat dry with paper towel. Place on a heatproof platter and steam for 10 minutes on high heat. Place remaining cornstarch on sheet of waxed paper and place fish fillets in the cornstarch to coat all sides.
• Heat 1 1/2 inches vegetable oil (about 3 cups) in a frying pan or wok to 350 degrees F.
• Place 8 to 10 pieces of fish in the oil at a time. Fry fish fillet for 2 minutes or until firm (light brown) and drain on paper towel. Continue to cook until all the fish is fried.
• Place the fish fillets in the center of platter and remove the abalone from the steamer. Place around the edge of the platter.
• Pour the sauce over the fish and garnish with cilantro sprigs.

ABALONE VICTORIA

Steps:

• Mix together parsley and bread crumbs. In a separate bowl, combine egg yolk, clarified butter and lemon juice. Place flour on a dish for dredging.
• Season 1 side of abalone steaks with salt and pepper. Lightly flour and paint with egg mixture. Coat with parsley/bread crumb mixture.
• Melt butter in frying pan. When butter begins to foam, add steaks and cook 1 minute each side. Add sherry and flame. Transfer to a serving dish and nap with browned butter from pan.

TRADITIONAL ABALONE

Steps:

• Slice the abalone into 1/4 inch thick steaks, making sure to trim off any meat that is not white, as this part tends to be very tough. Place the steaks on a cutting board, and pound with a meat tenderizer until pliable.
• In a small bowl, stir together the ketchup, horseradish, and lime juice to make a cocktail sauce. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Heat olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Whisk eggs and milk together in a shallow dish. Place bread crumbs in a large resealable plastic bag. Dip the abalone steaks in egg, then place in the bag with the crumbs and shake to coat.
• Fry coated abalone for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain. Place on a platter, and garnish with lime slices and parsley. Serve with the cocktail sauce for dipping.