| Level: | Intermediate |
| Total: | 1 hr |
| Active: | 15 min |
| Yield: | 12 oysters |
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh tarragon leaves
- 1/2 cup baby spinach leaves
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 ounces pancetta, diced
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Grapeseed oil, for frying (about 3 cups)
- 1 large egg
- 1 dozen oysters, shucked and drained on a paper towel-lined plate (rinse and reserve shells)
Instructions
- In a food processor, place the tarragon and spinach and pulse 1 to 2 times to coarsely chop. Add the panko and pulse until completely combined with the tarragon and spinach (it should look like green bread crumbs). Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl and set aside.
- In a small saute pan set over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and pancetta and cook until the pancetta is golden-brown and crispy, about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add the lemon juice, sugar and salt, stirring with a wooden spoon until the sugar is dissolved. Add the parsley and set aside.
- Pour enough grapeseed oil into 10-inch saute pan to fill it by 1/3 inch. Heat the oil over medium heat to 350 degrees F or until a few breadcrumbs sprinkled in the pan sizzle immediately but do not burn. Lightly beat the egg in a medium bowl. Add the oysters to the egg and toss gently to coat. One by one, lift them out of the egg and place them in the herb breadcrumbs. Again toss gently to make sure the oysters are coated all around, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place the breaded oysters, one at a time, into the hot oil. You should be able to fry about 6 at a time. Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute. Flip the oysters and cook another 1 minute to brown on the other side. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat the process with the remaining oysters.
- Place one oyster in each half shell and spoon some of the pancetta vinaigrette over the top. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 12 servings |
| Calories | 234 |
| Total Fat | 19 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Protein | 7 g |
| Cholesterol | 47 mg |
| Sodium | 170 mg |
Reviews
I’ve made Oysters Rockefeller several ways and this is a very nice twist on the original recipe! Followed this recipe exactly and I was glad I did. Guests loved this and the preparation honors the oyster. One thing for sure is that these need to be made in real time and eaten as soon as you put them together to enjoy the flavors and textures. Another innovative great recipe from Giada! Thank you!