Champagne Mignonette Recipes

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.

CHAMPAGNE MIGNONETTE

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a small bowl, and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator. Serve chilled, spooned over oysters.

OYSTERS WITH CHAMPAGNE-VINEGAR MIGNONETTE

Steps:

• Make mignonnette:
• Stir together vinegar, shallot, pepper, and sugar and let stand 30 minutes.
• Prepare oysters:
• Preheat broiler.
• Spread 3/4 cup salt in an 8- to 10-inch flameproof shallow baking dish or pan. Arrange oysters on their shells in salt, then top each with a piece of butter.
• Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until butter is melted and sizzling and edges of oysters are beginning to curl, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir parsley into mignonnette. Divide remaining 3/4 cup salt between 2 plates and arrange 3 oysters on each. Spoon 1/4 teaspoon mignonnette over each oyster and sprinkle oysters with grapes. Serve warm.

MIGNONETTE SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients and chill. Serve with chilled oysters or clams on the half shell.

OYSTERS WITH FROZEN CHAMPAGNE MIGNONETTE (GRANITE)

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a small sauce pot, except oysters. Stir to dissolve sugar. Bring to a boil and strain through a mesh strainer into a shallow bowl. Place the bowl in the freezer overnight. When oysters are ready, take granite out of freezer and using a fork, scrape the frozen mignonette - it should flake off easily. Place 1 teaspoon of frozen granite on top of each oyster and serve.