Fried Oysters With Holiday Tartar Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the oil to 280 degrees.
• Cut the leek into very, very thin matchsticks about three inches long and as thin as possible. In several batches, drop the leek slices into the oil and fry until golden brown, about four to five minutes. The oil should not be too hot or the leeks will fry too quickly and burn. Drain on paper towels and set aside. This can be done up to two hours in advance.
• Open the oysters, reserve the oyster liquor and strain it to remove any portions of shell or sand. Place the liquor in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the oysters, poach them for just 30 seconds and drain, again reserving the liquor. When the oysters and the liquor have cooled, combine them again, to keep the oysters moist and plump. This can be done up to two hours in advance.
• Prepare three plates for coating the oysters: one with the flour, one with the eggs and egg yolks whisked together, and a third with the fresh bread crumbs.
• To prepare the tartar sauce, combine the cornichons, capers, mustard, paprika and parsley. Whip the creme fraiche or heavy cream until stiff. Carefully fold the cornichon mixture into the cream. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
• Heat the oil to 375 degrees.
• Drain the oysters and dredge them, one at a time, in the flour. Dip them into the egg mixture, then dredge them in the bread crumbs. Fry the oysters, three or four at a time, until nicely browned, about one minute. Between batches, check that the oil temperature remains steady.
• To serve, place the oysters on a platter, top with a nest of fried leeks and place a spoonful of tartar sauce alongside.

Steps:

• Prepare the oysters: Season flour with salt and pepper. Dredge each oyster in the flour, then dip in the beaten egg, then coat evenly in the panko.
• Set breaded oysters on a baking cooling rack, leaving a little room between the oysters so they can dry and set. Refrigerate until ready to fry and serve.
• Make the sauce: Finely mince garlic with a pinch of salt until sticky and pasty. Mince shallots, cornichons and capers as finely as possible. Add all to a small bowl. Stir in mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, caper brine and cornichon vinegar, and stir well. Add chopped parsley, stir well and season to taste with salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Fry the oysters: Melt enough shortening in a deep medium skillet (we love cast iron) over medium for 1 1/2 inches of liquified fat once hot. Increase heat to medium-high. It's ready to fry in when a few crumbs of panko or the tip of a wooden chopstick sizzles actively in the fat.
• Add the oysters cold from the refrigerator, working in batches of 6 to 8 or as you have room. Fry, making sure to turn them to get both sides, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes, depending on size. Remove with a slotted spoon or spider, and let rest on a clean rack while you fry the rest. Season each batch with a little salt while still piping hot, as soon as you pull them from the fat. Serve with tartar sauce.

Steps:

• Mix first 4 ingredients and 1/2 teaspoon orange peel in small bowl. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
• Combine yellow cornmeal, flour and remaining 1 teaspoon orange peel in medium bowl. Sprinkle oysters with salt and pepper; coat with cornmeal mixture. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oysters and fry until golden and crusty, turning once, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels; drain.
• Serve oysters with sauce.