Fried Oyster Salad
Oysters in the half shelf are deep-fried to perfection and served over a creamy spinach mixture. Get 'em while they're hot! This delicious recipe comes from our cookbook Growing Up Cajun. You’ll find everything in this cookbook for an authentic Cajun feast.
Servings 24 Oysters
Ingredients
- 2 (6-ounce) bags fresh baby spinach
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream
- 2 tsp anise-flavored liqueur
- 1 tsp Slap Ya Mama Cajun Pepper Sauce
- 1¾ tsp kosher salt, divided
- ½ tsp ground black pepper, divided
- 24 Fresh Oysters on the half shell
- 4 cups kosher salt
- 1½ cups lightly packed grated parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
- 1½ cup whole buttermilk
- 2 cups yellow cornmeal
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp Slap Ya Mama Hot Cajun Seasoning
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Garnish: Slap Ya Mama Cajun Pepper Sauce
- Lemon wedges, to serve
Instructions
- In the work bowl of a food processor, pulse spinach in batches until finely chopped.
- In a large skillet, heat canola oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually add spinach; cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in cream, liqueur, Slap Ya Mama Cajun Pepper Sauce, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Remove oysters from shells, reserving oysters. On a rimmed baking sheet, place kosher salt. Arrange oyster shells on prepared pan. Fill shells with spinach mixture. Top with cheese and bread crumbs.
- Bake until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
- In a shallow dish, place buttermilk. In another shallow dish, whisk together cornmeal, flour, Slap Ya Mama Hot Cajun Seasoning , remaining 1½ teaspoons salt, and remaining ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- In a Dutch oven, pour vegetable oil to a depth of two inches, and heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 360°.
- Dip oysters in buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge oysters in cornmeal mixture, shaking off excess. Working in batches, carefully place oysters in a hot oil. Fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Let drain on paper towels. Place on top of a spinach mixture. Garnish with Slap Ya Mama Cajun Pepper Sauce , if desired. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
