I am an oyster lover, particularly raw oysters on the half shell. I can “throw back” oysters like you wouldn’t believe. My husband and I have eating competitions and of course, I always come out on top. I may have been the sole perpetrator to put my favorite all-you-can-eat oyster place out of business. These briny mollusks of the sea are one of my favorite foods. I love them best untampered and raw, with a squirt of tangy and sweet migonette sauce.
A mignonette sauce is a condiment for raw oysters on the half shell. There are many wonderful variations but the basic ingredients in a mignonette sauce are vinegar, shallots and pepper.
I recently did an Asian take on the classic mignonette sauce. For my Asian version, I used rice vinegar, a squeeze of lemon juice, finely diced apple pears (also known as Asian pears or Chinese pears), grated shallots, and a pinch of salt and pepper. It was a lovely combination of sweet from the Asian pears, tang from the rice vinegar and lemon, and savory from the grated shallots. The salt and pepper rounded out all the flavors. My favorite component was the Asian pears. Diced in small cubes, they not only served as a sweet note to the sauce, but provided a contrasting crunchy texture. The new texture paired beautifully with the slippery oysters.
Raw Oysters with Asian Mignonette Sauce
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 oysters 1x
Description
Here is an Asian take on the classic mignonette sauce that would pair beautifully with raw oysters.
Ingredients
- 12 raw oysters, scrubbed and shucked
- 3 tablespoons finely diced Asian pear (also known as Chinese pear or apple pear)
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 small shallot, grated
- Juice of half a lemon
- Pinch of salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Mignonette Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the diced Asian pear, rice vinegar, grated shallot, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir until the ingredients are well-mixed. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Dress the Oysters: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the mignonette sauce over each oyster on the half shell.
- Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, tangy flavors. Perfect as an appetizer or for a special occasion!
Notes
Shucking Tips: Use a kitchen towel to hold the oyster securely while shucking to prevent slipping.
- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Mix and No-Cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
