OYSTERS THERMIDOR
OYSTERS THERMIDOR
OYSTERS THERMIDOR

Ingredients
  • 24 native oysters in their shells
  • 55g/2oz butter
  • 1 shallot
  • finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp vermouth
  • 140ml/4½fl oz chicken stock
  • 140ml/4½fl oz fish stock
  • 140ml/4½fl oz double cream
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • to taste
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 55g/2oz parmesan
  • finely grated
  • 200g/7oz samphire
Directions
  • Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
  • Open the oysters carefully
  • retaining the juice. Cover the oysters with a clean cloth
  • but do not refrigerate.
  • Melt the butter in a pan and add the shallot. Cook gently without colouring.
  • Add the vermouth
  • oyster juice and stocks. Cook until the volume of liquid has reduced by two thirds.
  • Add the cream and cook until the volume has reduced by half.
  • Shuck the oysters
  • pry them from the shells and set aside. Clean the deeper shells and lay them on a tray
  • then put a little of the sauce in the base of each shell. Lay an oyster in each shell and transfer to the oven for two minutes. Preheat the grill to hot.
  • Stir the mustard into the remaining sauce. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the egg yolks
  • followed by the parsley and half of the parmesan.
  • Take the oysters out of the oven and pour a little sauce over each one. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan over the top.
  • Cook the samphire in a pan of boiling salted water for 1-2 minutes
  • or until tender. Drain well.
  • Meanwhile grill the oysters to glaze them. Serve with the samphire.