Family Encyclopedia >> Food

Elegant Poached Oysters with Vegetable Mirepoix and Lumpfish Roe

Ingredients for 4 people
  • 20 Fine de Claire oysters, size 0
  • 1 long turnip
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 onion
  • 1 small jar lumpfish roe
  • 1 tablespoon cream
  • 1 walnut-sized piece of butter
  • Fresh chervil
  • Salt and ground pepper
Preparation
  • Preparation time: 20 minutes
  • Cooking time: 20 minutes

Open the oysters over a bowl to collect their liquor. Strain the juice and bring it to a simmer in a sauté pan.

Shuck and clean the oysters. Briefly poach them in the sauté pan for 10-20 seconds per side to firm up; set aside on a clean cloth.

Prepare a fine mirepoix by dicing the vegetables into tiny brunoise pieces. Gently sauté for about 8 minutes until softened. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Add the mirepoix and cream to the oyster liquor. Simmer gently.

Arrange 5 oysters per ramekin or small dish. Warm in a hot but turned-off oven for 1 minute.

Stir the lumpfish roe into the sauce, then whisk in the butter piece by piece off the heat for a silky finish.

Remove the oysters from the oven and generously spoon the sauce over them. Garnish with fresh chervil.

Expert tip: Substitute Fine de Claire oysters with Belon oysters. After poaching, return them to their shells and continue as directed.

Joëlle's insight: The main challenge is shucking the oysters cleanly—the rest is straightforward and rewarding.

Elegant Poached Oysters with Vegetable Mirepoix and Lumpfish Roe