Melissa Clarks Oysters Rockefeller Recipes

MELISSA CLARK'S OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the bread crumbs and sauté until they are just a tiny bit golden, about 1 minute or so. Stir in the watercress, parsley, celery and celery leaves, scallions, and garlic. Cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Stir in the Pernod and let it cook off for another minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the capers and a pinch of salt (not too much, those oysters are salty too).
• Preheat the broiler. Fill a baking pan (or two) with a 1/2-inch layer of coarse or rock salt. Lay the oysters on top of the salt. Spoon a little of the sauce mixture on top of the oysters. Broil until just golden, about 2 minutes. Serve hot.

CRISPY "OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER"

Steps:

• In a food processor, place the tarragon and spinach and pulse 1 to 2 times to coarsely chop. Add the panko and pulse until completely combined with the tarragon and spinach (it should look like green bread crumbs). Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl and set aside.
• In a small saute pan set over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and pancetta and cook until the pancetta is golden-brown and crispy, about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the lemon juice, sugar and salt, stirring with a wooden spoon until the sugar is dissolved. Add the parsley and set aside.
• Pour enough grapeseed oil into 10-inch saute pan to fill it by 1/3 inch. Heat the oil over medium heat to 350 degrees F or until a few breadcrumbs sprinkled in the pan sizzle immediately but do not burn. Lightly beat the egg in a medium bowl. Add the oysters to the egg and toss gently to coat. One by one, lift them out of the egg and place them in the herb breadcrumbs. Again toss gently to make sure the oysters are coated all around, pressing gently to adhere.
• Place the breaded oysters, one at a time, into the hot oil. You should be able to fry about 6 at a time. Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute. Flip the oysters and cook another 1 minute to brown on the other side. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat the process with the remaining oysters.
• Place one oyster in each half shell and spoon some of the pancetta vinaigrette over the top. Serve warm.

OYSTERS ROCKEFELLER DECONSTRUCTED

Steps:

• To make bacon chips: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut bacon strips into 4 to 5 diamonds each (10 to 12 total); place on a sheet pan, then place another sheet pan directly on top. Bake until brown and crisp, about 10 minutes. Place pieces on a paper towel; pat with another paper towel to dry.
• To make the spinach and watercress garnish: Heat 1/4 pound of butter in a saucepan or deep skillet over medium-high heat until browning and foamy. Add the spinach, watercress and garlic; season well with salt and pepper. Cook just until greens are wilted, about 4 minutes. Let cool, then drain off butter, remove garlic, finely chop and return to pot.
• To make the beurre fondue: Cut remaining butter into 1-inch cubes. Heat 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan until simmering; reduce heat and whisk in butter pieces, one by one, whisking constantly until mixture is smooth and thickened. Turn off the heat, add the lemon slices and steep for about 5 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
• To assemble: Heat beurre fondue to simmering. Warm the spinach mixture and place in 3 neat piles on 4 plates or 5 neat piles on 2 plates. Poach oysters in simmering beurre fondue just until they are warm and the edges begin to curl slightly, about 10 seconds. Place an oyster on each pile of greens. Pour a bit of beurre fondue over each oyster. Top each with a bacon chip. Finely grate licorice root on top and serve.