Broiled Oysters With Celery Cream And Virginia Ham Food

POACHED OYSTERS IN ANISE-FLAVORED CREAM WITH BLACK PEPPER CREME FRAICHE AND CAVIAR

Steps:

• Combine the creme fraiche, 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper in a small bowl, and mix well. Transfer to a fine mesh strainer and place over a bowl. Let the mixture drain, refrigerated, for up to 2 hours. Cover until needed.
• Drain the oysters in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl, and reserve their liquid to equal 1 1/2 cups.
• Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add cayenne pepper. Add the heavy cream, the 1 1/2 cups oyster liquor, and the liqueur, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and reduce the heat to medium. Simmer until reduced by 50 percent in volume, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add half of the spinach to the cream and puree with an immersion blender, or in batches in a blender or food processor. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a large clean saute pan, and keep warm.
• Heat the oil in a medium stockpot to 350 degrees F.
• Add the remaining spinach to the pot in batches and fry until crispy, about 45 seconds. With a slotted spoon remove the cooked spinach and drain on paper towels. Season lightly with salt to taste.
• Add the oysters to the sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until the edges of the oysters start to curl, about 3 minutes, depending upon their size. Remove from the heat.
• To serve, arrange 6 oysters around the inner edge of a shallow, rimmed soup bowl like the spokes of a wheel, and spoon 1/2 cup of sauce around the oysters.
• Spoon a dollop of Black Pepper Creme Fraiche into the center of the bowl, top with a teaspoon of the Beluga caviar, and garnish with fried spinach. Repeat with the remaining ingredients and serve.

POACHED OYSTERS IN CHAMPAGNE WITH A JULIENNE OF VEGETABLES, LEAF SPINACH AND PROSCIUTTO HAM

Steps:

• Shuck the oysters. Reserve the oyster juice. Wash the shells. Cut the vegetables into strips and steam. Set aside Blanch the spinach and set aside Peel and cut the shallots into small dice, then add the white wine and reduce until only 1 tablespoon remains. Add the cream reduce for 30 seconds, then whisk in the butter. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Heat a sauteuse. Pour in the cream, oyster juice, champagne and garlic. Add the oyster, prosciutto and poach for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the shallot-butter sauce off the heat. Spoon into the oyster shells; top with the spinach, then top with the oysters and place a small pile of the steamed vegetables on each oyster. Serve on a bed of blanched seaweed or on a bed of mixed peppercorns.

CREAM OF CELERY SOUP AND DEVILED-HAM TOASTS

Steps:

• For the poached chicken stock: Place the chicken, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, lemon, herb bundle, peppercorns and salt in a pot, cover with water and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to simmer and simmer for 1 hour minimum. Cool the chicken in the broth. Remove the chicken and cool. Separate the meat and pull or chop into bite-size pieces. Reserve for another use. The chicken can be stored in plastic bag in the fridge for 4 days. Strain the stock and reserve for soup.
• For the soup: Heat a soup pot over medium heat. Melt the butter and when it begins to foam, add the celery, onions and garlic; season with celery salt and pepper. Add the fresh bay leaf to the pot, partially cover, and cook until very tender and soft, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the potatoes, celeriac and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low rolling boil and simmer, partially covered, for another 20 minutes, then puree with an immersion blender. Cool the soup and store for a make-ahead meal.
• Place the soup in a stockpot and stir in the cream. Bring to simmer and taste to adjust seasoning. Serve in shallow bowls with Deviled-Ham Toasts alongside.
• Combine the prosciutto, celery, Fresno chile pepper, red onion, parsley, garlic, mustard, pickle relish, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce and seasoning in a food processor and pulse until it's very, very finely chopped and well combined, almost smooth. Deviled ham stores well in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Spread deviled ham on the toast and cut into toast points, corner to corner, or serve with saltines.

BROILED OYSTERS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. Stir herbs, red-pepper flakes, oil, and vinegar in a large bowl. Add oysters, and toss to coat.
• Transfer oyster mixture to a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan over oysters, and season with pepper. Drizzle with oil. Broil until golden brown and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Serve.

BROILED OYSTERS

Steps:

• Drain oysters or shuck and save deep shell side.
• Place drained oysters in a shallow buttered pan.
• Or place shucked oysters on shell with some of saved liquor.
• Whisk together, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, salt, cayenne (just a few grains),and paprika.
• Pour mixture over oysters, either panned or shucked.
• If doing on half shell, place them on a cookie sheet.
• Place pan or cookie sheet under broiler until the oysters are plump, about 5 minutes, do not overcook.
• Serve immediately, with parsley sprinkled over and lemon slices.
• Serve panned oysters on hot buttered toast, toast should be crisp, great appy.
• Served on half shell makes a great first course for a dinner party, Place 2, even 3 on each shell.

OYSTER STEW WITH VIRGINIA HAM

Steps:

• Using 2 forks, shred ham into bite-size pieces. (You should have 1 cup.)
• In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in ham. Increase heat to high and add cider; cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, add cream, and heat through, stirring often, until just bubbling, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Stir in oysters and liquor; cook until oysters turn opaque and begin to curl, 1 to 2 minutes. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Divide among 4 bowls and serve, with crackers and more pepper.