How to prepare and cook Abalone

Ahhh abalone! One of the rich treasures of the sea! If you are thinking of trying this ocean delicacy, here are a few steps for you to follow.

California may or may not allow abalone harvesting during what would be a short season, otherwise you can just purchase at your finer grocery stores.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Abalone, canned or fresh
• sharp knife
• mallet
• butter, oil or bacon fat
• sauté pan

1. If you are lucky enough to be able to obtain fresh abalone, your first step would be to cut out the "foot" with your sharp knife. You will want to cut away the dark outer edge and the stomach and other internal organs.
   
   The "foot" is the part you will want to save. This is the good stuff!

2. Rinse very well in cold water.

3. Find "the grain" in the meat and cut across it making about 2-3 1/2 inch slices. How many will depend on the size of the abalone ... yes size matters!

4. Next, take some aggression out and pound the heck out of the abalone slices until they become very soft!

5. Finally, sauté the slices in your pre-heated oil, butter or bacon fat for just a few minutes flipping once. They will cook very quickly as does most seafood. You will notice a change in color when they have been put to heat.

6. You can bread them and deep fry them or cut them up and make abalone chowder. The steps listed above are very basic, but it is a very basic dish to prepare. Enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• Prepare according the above directions. Serve with French onions on a hamburger bun with some light avocado or pinapple...yum!
• As with all shellfish, make sure you are not allergic to it and prepare it thoroughly!
• Do not get caught poaching abalone ... you will get caught and you will go to jail.

[greatgreat8]

on 6/2/2009 sounds good, will have to try it