How to Prepare Shelled Oysters

Oysters can be prepared in many ways.

There are many ways to prepare oysters in the shell. The simplest cooking methods include using an oven, grill, microwave, steam kettle or saucepan. Shelled oysters can also be eaten raw.

Preparation

Chill the oysters until you are ready to cook them or serve them raw. Clean the shells well with a brush. If you are serving the oysters raw, insert an oyster knife into the oyster's hinge and pry it open. Cut the oyster from the top shell, and then cut along the bottom to detach it from the bottom shell. Serve the loose oyster in the shell.

Cooking

To bake oysters, put them in an oven for 15 to 20 minutes at 400 to 450 degrees. In the microwave, cook them at full power for one minute per oyster. Oysters can be grilled; when they're done, they sound hollow when tapped. When steaming oysters, place them on a rack above a flavored liquid and let them steam for 10 to 20 minutes. They are done cooking when the edges begin to curl.

Considerations

Raw oysters are served chilled over ice or a small amount of water mixed with sea salt. They can also be served with lemon, hot sauce, horseradish, cocktail sauce, vinegar or caviar.

References

• Silver Point Oysters: Oyster Cooking and Recipes
• TLC: Cooking Oysters
• Mahalo: How to Prepare Oysters
• Martha Stewart: Shucking and Serving Oysters