Cooking Oysters: Easy Techniques Without A Steamer

Oysters are a delicious treat, but what if you want to cook them and don't have a steamer? Well, there are several ways to cook oysters without a steamer, including grilling, frying, roasting, and steaming them with a simple stockpot and a metal colander. In this article, we will focus on the latter method, which is a simple and effective way to cook oysters without a steamer.

How to fry oysters

Frying oysters is a simple and tasty way to cook them without a steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to fry oysters:

Step 1: Prepare the oysters

Start by draining the liquor from the oysters and patting them dry. You can use a cloth to gently pat them. This will help remove any excess moisture before coating them and frying them.

Step 2: Prepare the coating

In one dish, combine flour, salt, and pepper. You can also add garlic powder or ginger powder to taste. In a separate bowl, lightly beat one or two eggs, depending on the number of oysters you are frying. You can also add a splash of milk to the eggs and scramble them together. The eggs will act as a binding agent for the coating.

Step 3: Coat the oysters

Take each oyster and first dip it in the flour mixture. Make sure it is evenly coated. Then, dip the oyster in the egg mixture, followed by the final coating. For the final coating, you can use breadcrumbs, cornmeal, or Panko. Make sure the oysters are thoroughly coated before frying.

Step 4: Heat the oil

Use a deep fryer or a frying pan with about 1/2 inch of oil. Heat the oil to 375° F (190° C). It is important that the oil is hot enough before adding the oysters, so they cook evenly and don't absorb too much oil.

Step 5: Fry the oysters

Carefully place the oysters in the hot oil. Fry them in batches of 5 or 6 at a time, so as not to crowd the pan. Fry each batch for about 45-60 seconds on each side, or until the coating turns golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove the oysters from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.

Step 6: Serve

Fried oysters are best served hot and fresh. You can serve them with cocktail sauce, hot sauce, or a squeeze of lemon. Enjoy your delicious fried oysters!

How to roast oysters

Ingredients

• Fresh oysters
• Water
• Lemon
• Hot sauce
• Toppings of your choice
• White wine (optional)
• Diced shallot (optional)
• Bay leaf (optional)
• Beer (optional)
• Ginger (optional)
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Utensils

• Steamer pan or basket
• Tongs
• Shucking or paring knife
• Scrub brush

Method

Before cooking your oysters, it's important to prepare them properly. Start by scrubbing the oysters under cold, running water to remove any mud, grit, or dirt. Use a brush or scrubber to clean the shells thoroughly. Discard any oysters with broken shells or any that are already open, as these may be dead or compromised.

Now, you're ready to begin the roasting process. Place a heat-proof rack or steaming tray at the bottom of a large pot. Make sure the rack is tall enough to keep the oysters above the water level. Fill the pot with enough water to create steam, ensuring it doesn't touch the oysters when they are placed on the rack. Around 1 inch of water should be sufficient.

Next, it's time to shuck the oysters. Protect your hands with gloves or a towel to avoid any sharp edges. Carefully insert an oyster knife into the oyster's hinge and twist to pry it open. Slide the knife along the top shell to detach the oyster completely.

Place the opened oysters onto the rack in the pot, making sure they are evenly spaced and not overcrowded. Cover the pot with a fitted lid.

Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the oysters steam. The cooking time will depend on your preferred level of doneness. For medium-cooked oysters, steam for 5 minutes. For well-done oysters, steam for 10 minutes. Keep in mind that oysters will continue to cook for a minute or so after being removed from the steamer, so it's better to undercook than overcook them.

While the oysters are steaming, you can melt some butter in a saucepan or small pot to use as a dipping sauce. You can also prepare your chosen toppings and sauces.

Once the oysters have reached your desired doneness, carefully remove the pot from the heat and take off the lid. Let the oysters cool down for a minute before serving.

Now, it's time to enjoy your perfectly roasted oysters! Serve them hot with a side of melted butter, lemon wedges, and your preferred condiments, such as hot sauce or cocktail sauce. The briny taste of the oysters, combined with the tangy citrus and buttery goodness, will create an unforgettable culinary experience.

How to grill oysters

Grilling oysters is a great way to cook them without a steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grill oysters:

Preparing the Oysters:

Before grilling, it is important to clean the oysters thoroughly. Use a scrub brush to scrub the outside of the shells under cold, running water to remove any dirt, grit, or sand. Discard any oysters with open or cracked shells, as these may be dead or compromised. You can also remove any barnacles with a dull paring knife.

Grilling the Oysters:

You can use a charcoal or gas grill for this purpose. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the oysters on the grill with the flat side down. If you want to season the oysters before grilling, you can shuck them first and add your desired seasonings. Otherwise, you can season them after cooking or enjoy them as-is.

Cooking the Oysters:

Close the lid of the grill and let the oysters cook for 5-6 minutes. For whole oysters, keep an eye on the shells—you will know they are ready when you see a line beginning to separate in the shell, and the oyster brine starts to bubble. Oysters on the half shell will tighten slightly as they cook, and their liquid will bubble.

Serving the Oysters:

Carefully remove the oysters from the grill, being careful to retain their juices. Serve them with drawn butter, lemon wedges, hot sauce, or as-is. Enjoy your freshly grilled oysters!

Safety Tips:

Always wear gloves when handling oysters to protect your hands from the rough exterior of the shells. Additionally, make sure to wash your oysters immediately before grilling, as washing them too early can kill them, making them inedible.

How to steam oysters without a steamer

Steaming oysters is one of the simplest ways to prepare this seafood delicacy, and you don't need a steamer to do it! Here's a step-by-step guide to steaming oysters using basic kitchen tools.

What You'll Need:

• Fresh, unopened oysters
• A large pot with a fitted lid
• A heat-proof rack or steaming tray
• Gloves or a towel for handling the oysters
• Saucepan or small pot (optional)
• Lemon wedges, hot sauce, or your preferred condiments

The Steaming Process:

Start by scrubbing the oysters under cold running water to remove any dirt or sand. Use a brush or scrubber to clean the shells thoroughly. Rinse them, but don't let them stand in water. Discard any oysters with broken shells or those that have opened.

Place the heat-proof rack or steaming tray at the bottom of the large pot. Make sure the rack is tall enough to keep the oysters above the water level.

Fill the pot with enough water to create steam, ensuring it doesn't touch the oysters when they are placed on the rack. Around 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water should be sufficient.

Now, it's time to shuck the oysters. Put on gloves or use a towel to protect your hands from any sharp edges. Carefully insert an oyster knife into the oyster's hinge and twist to pry it open. Slide the knife along the top shell to detach the oyster completely. You can also use a paring knife to separate the oyster from the shells.

Place the opened oysters onto the rack in the pot, making sure they are evenly spaced and not overcrowded. Cover the pot with the lid.

Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the oysters steam for 5-8 minutes, depending on their size. Keep an eye on them, as cooking time may vary. The oysters are done when their shells open.

Serving Suggestions:

Steaming oysters locks in moisture, resulting in plump and tender oysters. Serve them hot with a side of melted butter, lemon wedges, hot sauce, or your favorite condiments. You can also melt butter in a separate saucepan and use it as a dipping sauce for an extra indulgent treat.

Now you know how to steam oysters to perfection without a steamer! Impress your family and friends with this easy and delicious method at your next seafood feast.

How to steam oysters in a grill

How to Steam Oysters on a Grill

Steaming oysters is one of the easiest ways to prepare them, and it can be done without a steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam oysters on a grill:

Step 1: Prepare the Oysters

Scrub the oysters under cold, running water to remove any dirt, mud, or grit. Use a brush or scrubber to clean the shells thoroughly. Discard any oysters with open or cracked shells, as this indicates that they are dead or compromised.

Step 2: Prepare the Grill

Lay your oysters out evenly on an old roasting dish or a metal tray. The tray should be placed inside the grill, and it should be filled with a little bit of water. Set your grill to medium-high heat.

Step 3: Steam the Oysters

Place the oysters on the grill, ensuring that the flat side is on the grill itself. Cover the grill and let the oysters steam for 5-10 minutes. The oysters are done when their shells open.

Step 4: Serve

Remove the oysters from the grill carefully so that they retain their juices. Serve them with melted butter, lemon wedges, hot sauce, or your favourite condiments. Enjoy your perfectly steamed oysters!

Tips:

• It is best to steam oysters without washing them too far in advance. Washing them hours before cooking may kill them, making them inedible.
• When shucking the oysters, use a towel or heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the shells.
• You can also add flavours to the steaming liquid. Try adding ingredients like white wine, garlic, herbs, or a splash of lemon juice to infuse the oysters with additional flavours.

Frequently asked questions