Maryland Fried Oysters Food

FRIED OYSTERS

Steps:

• For the Tartar Sauce: Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350°F, in a deep cast iron skillet, or in a Dutch oven over medium heat to a depth of about 2-3 inches, until it reaches 350°F. If you don't have a deep-fry thermometer, sprinkle a few drops of water on the hot oil. If it sizzles, the oil is hot enough.
• Drain the oysters in a colander and pat dry with paper towels. Use a toothpick to poke a small hole in the large round part of each oyster.
• Put the buttermilk in a shallow dish. In a separate shallow dish, combine the cornmeal, flour, salt, Old Bay seasoning and pepper.
• Add the oysters to the buttermilk and soak for a few minutes. Remove the oysters from the buttermilk, gently shake off excess liquid, and dredge in cornmeal mixture to coat on all sides. Shake off excess breading and transfer to a wire rack.
• Working in batches so that you don't overcrowd the pan, fry oysters until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels, season with additional salt and pepper (if necessary) while they're still warm, and serve hot with tartar sauce or other dipping sauce.

MARYLAND FRIED OYSTERS

Steps:

• Combine flour, corn starch and Old Bay or J.O. Crab Seasoning thoroughly and dredge oysters in the mix doing your best to completely cover each oyster.
• Heat oil to 350° in heavy-bottom pan or skillet about a half-inch deep. Fry oysters until golden brown on each side, turning once. Serve hot with cocktail sauce for dipping.

FRIED OYSTERS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together buttermilk and 1 tablespoon Emeril's Original Essence. Add oysters and turn to coat; let stand for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a shallow dish, mix together masa harina, flour, and remaining tablespoon essence; set aside.
• In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan with high sides, heat oil to 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer.
• Dredge oysters in masa harina mixture, shaking off any excess. Working in batches, carefully add oysters to hot oil and cook, turning, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer oysters to a paper towel-lined plate; season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

PANKO FRIED OYSTERS FOR TWO

Steps:

• HOT SAUCE: Mix all ingredients together.
• To allow flavors to blend, refrigerate several hours.
• Hot Sauce will keep several days in the refrigerator.
• Be sure to cover it tightly.
• Line colander with two layers of paper towel.
• Rinse oysters, drain and put in colander, patting to dry.
• EGG DIP: In small bowl, add egg and milk; whisk to blend well.
• If using only egg whites, do not whisk enough to be dry/frothy.
• FLOUR COATING: Put all ingredients in small plastic bag and shake to mix well.
• PANKO COATING: in a small bowl, add ingredients and mix well.
• TO BREAD OYSTERS: Step 1: Dip 2 or 3 oysters in Egg Dip, letting any excess drain off.
• Step 2: Place them in Flour Coating, shaking to completely coat oysters.
• Remove from Flour Mixture.
• Step 3: Repeat step 1.
• Step 4: Place them in Panko Coating bowl.
• Roll them over and get them completely coated with bread crumbs.
• With tongs, gently remove them from breadcrumbs and place in a single layer on a baking tray lined with plastic wrap.
• Repeat Steps 1-4 until all oysters are breaded.
• Cover breaded oysters with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or more.
• This breading can be done up to 8 hours ahead.
• TO FRY OYSTERS: Heat frying oil in deep pan to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• With tongs, gently remove oysters from baking sheet and gently drop them into the hot oil.
• Fry the oysters in small (6-8 oysters each) batches to keep from lowering the temperature of the oil too much.
• Fry about 2 minutes or until golden brown on one side, turn and brown other side (about 1-2 minutes).
• Remove from oil and drain on layers of paper towels.
• NOTE: After cooking one batch of oysters, let the temperature of the oil return to about 375, before cooking the next batch.
• If the oil temperature is not hot enough before adding the oysters, they will taste greasy, rather than light.
• Serve immediately with Hot Sauce.

PAN FRIED OYSTERS

Steps:

• Mix dry ingredients.
• Dredge oysters in this and let sit on paper 5 minutes.
• Heat oil and butter until sizzling hot.
• Add oysters.
• Brown lightly 30-40 seconds on each side.
• Serve immediately with lemon juice or tartar sauce.

SOUTHERN FRIED OYSTERS

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, add the first 3 ingredients; stir to combine.
• In another bowl, combine the egg and milk; whisk to combine.
• Dip oysters in egg mixture, then dredge in flour mixture.
• Add oil to 2-3 inch depth in a cast-iron dutch oven; heat to 375 degrees.
• Fry oysters in oil until golden, turning once.
• Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.