Oyster Stew

Oysters are one of the favorite exotic foods for a long time - eaten raw or cooked in many ways - Oyster Stew one of the most popular methods. Many consider oysters as one of the aphrodisiacs possibly owing to their rich content of Zinc - a mineral essential for the production of testosterone. Zinc coupled with other essential minerals and amino acids found in edible Oysters make them one of the healthiest sea foods.

Otto von Bismarck, the 19th century Prussian and German statesman was purported to be very fond of Oysters and used to consume large quantities of them at a time.

You don't need to be an ostreaphile - an oyster lover to relish Oyster. It would suffice that you care much for health and prefer healthy diets to include Oysters in your menu. Apart from fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat and poultry food, inclusion of two servings of oysters, rich in vitamins, proteins and Omega 3 fatty acids every week make for a healthy diet regime.

Oyster as nutritious food

Oyster belongs to the family of shellfish - known as bivalve mollusks. These varieties of shellfish are low in fat, rich in vitamins and minerals with a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. There is ample evidence to confirm significant health benefits from foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

The different dietary sources of omega-3 fatty acids include fish oil, certain plants and nut oils. Amongst these sources, fish oil contains both DHA or docosahexaenoic acid and EPA or Eicosapentaenoic acid while vegetable based sources contain only ALA or alpha-linolenic acid. There is a growing body of evidence, which suggests that foods with high concentration of ALA may lead to higher risk of prostate cancer.

Omega 3 fatty acid is good for your heart. Clinical studies indicate some omega 3 fatty acids do reduce the risk of heart disease. Omega 3 fatty acids also boost immune system, help reduce blood pressure and decrease the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.

Researches point to the role of omega-3 fatty acids in aiding brain development and intelligence, especially in growing fetus. Oyster rich in omega-3 fatty acid can also help combat schizophrenia and depression. On the whole, oyster is one of the most nutritionally well balanced, nourishing sea food containing protein, several vitamins, sodium iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iodine, phosphorus and zinc.

Oyster Facts

Pacific, Olympia and Atlantic are the three broad classifications of oysters. Though there are more than seventy edible species, only a few are grown commercially. Not all oysters taste alike. The tastes of oysters are much determined by water temperature, salinity and the vegetation on which they feed. The taste and the texture do not remain constant but differ at different times of the year.

The Pacific oysters: Kumamoto, Samish bay, Steamboats, Pearl Bay, Malaspina, Royal Myagi are the different varieties of pacific oysters. The names denote the race or growing area. The shells of pacific oysters are more deeply cupped and the meat is generally creamier.

The Olympia oysters: Are very small in size, usually not exceeding 2 inches.

The Atlantic: Malpeque, Caraquet, Blue Point, Pine Island, Pugwash are the different varieties of Atlantic oysters. Pretty meaty, the tastes differ ranging from a salty finish to a subtle fruity sweet finish.

Guide to Oyster Eating

There are passionate Oyster lovers who will not let any foreign substance come in the way of eating their prized food. They slit open the shells with a special knife and some cultivated skill to match - for it is not easy to pry the closed shells against the adductor muscles of the live oyster. Some add a dash of lime to enhance the taste.

Opening the shell with a shellfish fork or shucking knife and eating it raw is the simplest way of eating oysters. Especially, fresh, young oysters taste delicious raw on the half shell. If you relish eating oysters raw and uncooked, pick fresh oysters alive just before you eat them. Check if they are tightly closed for if they are already opened. It just means they are dead and need to be discarded.

Eating raw oysters is an art by itself. An oyster knife or a shellfish knife is the perfect oyster cutlery. As you set out to relish a raw oyster, use the shellfish fork and detach the oyster from its shell. Hold the oyster shell firmly and look out for the best 'sipping lip' on the shell. Bring the shell to your lips and in one swift move, slurp the oyster and the juice (liquor).

Oyster - Cooking Methods

For oyster delicacy preparation use larger oysters and choose any of the cooking methods. Oysters can be cooked anyway you want as long as it is brief. Most shell fish tend to turn rubbery if overcooked. Again shell fish require little spices or other add-ons to flavor them. Oysters are akin to Wine. Select carefully your choice.

Oyster stew recipe Method 1:

Ingredients:
1 can oyster (8 ounce can)
1 can evaporated milk (12 ounce can)
1-cup chicken broth
1 tsp butter (unsalted)
Salt and pepper to taste.

Take a wide-bottomed saucepan and warm cleaned oysters over medium heat. Transfer butter to the container and wait until the butter is milted. Transfer milk and allow it to warm. The milk need not reach the boiling temperature. Oyster stew is ready; add salt and pepper to taste. Serve oyster stew with oyster, oyster cracker or any other common cracker.

Oyster stew recipe Method 2:

2 fresh green onions

2 tbsp. unsalted butter.

1 can fresh oysters (undrained 12 ounce can)

1-quart milk

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp white pepper

Red pepper flakes to taste.

Chop the green onions and keep aside. Melt butter and sauté onion in butter until tender. Add the other entire remaining ingredients one after the other. In low heat, cook the ingredients until the edges of oysters begin to curl up. The mixture should not reach boiling temperature. Oyster stew is ready, serve with crackers and garnish with sliced green onion.

Fried oyster recipe:

Fresh oysters large or medium sized - 12 nos.

Eggs - 2 nos.

Bread crumbs - 1 cup

Vegetable oil - 3 tablespoons.

Salt & pepper to taste.

Shuck the oysters and place in a colander to drain. Or use shucked oysters, which are stored in vacuum-packs. Crack the eggs and beat well with a fork. Dip the drained oysters in beaten eggs. Salt and pepper may be added to breadcrumbs. Keep the breadcrumbs on a large plate. Roll the oysters dipped in beaten eggs in breadcrumbs. Coat well on all sides. Let it dry. Keep aside for 30-45 minutes.

Heat oil in a wide-bottomed frying pan. Add oysters to the oil and fry until golden brown. Fry few oysters at a time. Do not overcrowd the pan. Turn from one side to another after it becomes totally golden brown and the edges are curled. Take care not to overcook the oyster. Fried oysters are ready. Serve with hot sauce and squeeze lemon for extra flavor. Or spread fried oysters over a plate of Caesar salad.