Nothing Better Than Freshly Shucked Oysters!
I could celebrate Oysters every day of the year, but when I realized I forgot the official day of celebration, I knew I had to make up for it – so here is the first way – watch me enjoy this “Oyster Shooter”!
Yes, that was delicious! I love fresh oysters! The look, the briny freshness of the ocean, and of course, the icy cold sensation as they slide down your throat…and they are incredibly good for you as well!
A prickleback shooter is just one way to enjoy an oyster – here are two more!
First, here is the definition of bi-valve:
“an aquatic mollusk that has a compressed body enclosed within a hinged shell, such as oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops.”
My wife Alex loves them too!
As I said, it was “National Oyster Day 2024” three days ago, and because I am three days late I am going to share 3 great Oyster recipes – and also a book filled with oyster facts, recipes and a great mystery too!
Sex, Death and Oysters: A Half-Shell Lover’s World Tour by Robb Walsh
I discovered this book several years ago, and it’s a great history AND mystery story about the beloved bivalve!
Here is the premise of “Sex, Death & Oysters!”
When award-winning Texas food writer Robb Walsh discovers that the local Galveston Bay oysters are being passed off as Blue Points and Chincoteagues in other parts of the country, he decides to look into the matter.
Thus begins a five-year journey into the culture of one of the world’s oldest delicacies. Walsh’s through-the-looking-glass adventure takes him from oyster reefs to oyster bars and from corporate boardrooms to hotel bedrooms in a quest for the truth about the world’s most profitable aphrodisiac.
On the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Gulf coasts of the U.S., as well as the Canadian Maritimes, Ireland, England, and France, the author ingests thousands of oysters—raw, roasted, barbecued, and baked—all for the sake of making a fair comparison. He also considers the merits of a wide variety of accompanying libations, including tart white wines in Paris, Guinness in Galway, martinis in London, microbrews in the Pacific Northwest, and tequila in Texas.
“Sex, Death and Oysters” is a record of a gastronomic adventure with illustrations and recipes—a fascinating collection of the most exciting, instructive, poignant, and just plain weird experiences on a trip into the world of the most beloved and feared of all seafoods.
Here is the Amazon Best of the Month, January 2009 Review:
Once called “the Indiana Jones of food writers,” Texan Robb Walsh has developed a cult of devoted readers who have ridden shotgun with him on his obsessive culinary adventures–from the quest for the perfect cup of coffee, to barbecue battles, to Dr. Pepper bootleggers.
Who better then to take a five-year quest in search of the perfect oyster, “the world’s most profitable aphrodisiac,” than the James Beard Award-winning author, who hangs his hat as the restaurant critic for The Houston Press and has written several books, including Are You Really Going to Eat That? and The Tex-Mex Cookbook. Sex, Death, and Oysters: A Half-Shell Lover’s World Tour chronicles a global culinary road trip that takes Walsh from his local Galveston Bay to the coasts of North America, and off to Ireland, England, and France.
Fact-filled and laced throughout with his wry humor, Walsh recounts the hundreds of oysters shucked and prepared in myriad ways, and offers a fascinating history that goes beyond the expected, revealing coastal rivalries, recipes, shucking tips, and what to drink with your oyster.
It’s everything you need to know to enjoy one of these!
Of course, those who are following this blog know that I cooked oysters “three ways” as part of my “52 In 22” cooking challenge:
One way was “Angeles On Horseback” – see what those are by clicking on my recipes here:
My third recipe to share is thanks to iconic Chef Emeril Bagasse – in what is one of the most unique food pairings ever!
How about Oysters, Pasta….and Caviar?
I made it and it’s delicious! See the entire recipe here:
So, three way to enjoy an Oyster…3 days after a national day of celebration did just that!
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Categories: 52 In 22!, Alcohol And Bars, Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Chef memoirs, Cookbooks, Eat This!, Food, Food Pictures, Food Porn, Recipes, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food
Bite! Eat! Repeat! 
I’ve never taken to oysters but I know lots of peo people love them
I grew up with them in the water all around me…we all have things we love and things we avoid, right? Thanks for sharing!
well who knew there is a national oyster day! I love ‘em. Are you still in France?
No, back in the US now…have a few Paris food reviews to share but I have a lot of stuff to get through! I love Oysters…I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and used to walk on the beach and pick them up!
I missed it too, and I don’t know how! I love them any way and am usually quite greedy with them.
I’m an Oyster fan too. I once had baked Oysters in Honfleur, Normandy, cooked with a rich cheese topping. Delicious!
Best wishes, Pete.
Yum Pete I need to find a recipe like that and try it! There is a great shop called Santa Monica Seafood, and they sell pre-shucked oysters ( which are a pain to do) and I will try to replicate this in your honor!
They looked like this, John.
https://kitchenswagger.com/baked-oysters-recipe/
Thanks Pete I am going to make these!
Love oysters, especially the ones with a crispy texture and a mineral accent.