Man vs food steamed oysters

[Mace]

I just watched an episode of it, I think they were in Charleston and they were collecting oysters.

The cool part was how they cooked them. Over a propane flame on what looked like a flat steel plate with soaked burlap sacks laid over the oysters.

Anyone try this? Or happen to have a set of plans to make one of these steamers???

 

[cruiser88]

ban jason for putting this thread in the wrong section

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Basically they're cooking them enough to kill the oyster, so the shell can be opened easily. You can steam longer if you want them cooked more. Doesn't matter to me, I like them raw, steamed or grilled.

I've also used a microwave to "cook" fresh oysters, only enough to kill them, then tossed them in a cooler of ice to chill them.

There really isn't much difference between that method and steaming, as far as taste goes, unless you add aromatic herbs to the water you soak the burlap in. And even then it doesn't change the flavoring much.

 

[sirenmoses]

here in the SW some creative folks have developed a propane fueled surface that might meet yr needs: they take a disc off a harrow and fab it up for cooking, kinda like 'wok + cast iron'.

post #13 here has an action snap: 24" disc harrow blade for discada/wok: $26 - The BBQ BRETHREN FORUMS.


will grab a shot next time I'm at a fire station that has one.

edit: this linky has some backstory. http://www.southwestdisk.com/

 

[splitshot]

Never have done oysters this way, but when we steam clams lots of garlic, cilantro, celery, lime juice, and tequilla is involved..

 

[bigndn]

Never have done oysters this way, but when we steam clams lots of garlic, cilantro, celery, lime juice, and tequilla is involved..

I'd emphasize lots of tequila. I haven't tried anything other than fried clams in years. I can say I'll go into the dry-heaves if I try an oyster on the half shell. BARF.

 

[splitshot]

I can say I'll go into the dry-heaves if I try an oyster on the half shell. BARF.

You and me both, can't understand how the wife is able to slurp 'em down with her texture issue (can't eat cottage cheese, raw tomatoes, flan, etc).

Steemed clams are yummy, only eaten oysters fried, mmmm (or those smoked canned ones with crackers).

 

[bigndn]

(or those smoked canned ones with crackers).

forgot about those.......yup, those are yummy.

 

[fsusteve]

we grill oysters here alot, it's about the only way I can eat them. Just toss them on the grill till they pop open.

 

[Joe_E]

we grill oysters here alot, it's about the only way I can eat them. Just toss them on the grill till they pop open.

We do that with clams.

As far as s*** in a ugly shell oysters, I can only eat them fried.

 

[FLATU8ER]

Mace, X2 on what Sirenmoses is using. We use this alot. It is a disk blade mounted on a tripod over a propane burner. The Spanglish name is Disc-o, and have cooked home fries, carne asada, and carnitas in one of these. With lots of Manteca! And as a kid growing up in Fl, as fsusteve said, we'd grill oysters by the bushel just long enough to get them to pop open. Good Luck--Jim

 

[NaterGator]

Mmm oyster on the half shell. Even better with a saltine and a dab of cocktail sauce.

Salty and iodine... a great flavor. Don't like em steamed, fried is just so-so to me.

 

[wob]

I just watched an episode of it, I think they were in Charleston and they were collecting oysters.

The cool part was how they cooked them. Over a propane flame on what looked like a flat steel plate with soaked burlap sacks laid over the oysters.

Anyone try this? Or happen to have a set of plans to make one of these steamers???

lol - yeah, I've had it once or twice

That's referred to as roasting oysters. I think wood fires and coals are better for more uniform heat, but it really doesn't matter. Steaming them usually refers to suspending them in a basket over boiling water (steam). In either case, they turn out the same way. Here in SC, oyster roasts are pretty common. Our local oysters are smaller and salter than Texas or Florida oysters (and better, imo).

The old saying is that you only eat oysters in months that have an "r" in them. I think that predates modern refrigerated trucking, though. We still stick to that rule.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

x2... cooking them that way is common down here.

any old piece of metal works (it's better if it has edges to hold in water and/or stop the oysters from sliding into the fire), a fire is better, and the burlap sack usually come with the oysters (the oyster come in the bag)

 

[ravewoofer]

lol - yeah, I've had it once or twice

That's referred to as roasting oysters. I think wood fires and coals are better for more uniform heat, but it really doesn't matter. Steaming them usually refers to suspending them in a basket over boiling water (steam). In either case, they turn out the same way. Here in SC, oyster roasts are pretty common. Our local oysters are smaller and salter than Texas or Florida oysters (and better, imo).

The old saying is that you only eat oysters in months that have an "r" in them. I think that predates modern refrigerated trucking, though. We still stick to that rule.

I never heard or eaten a roasted oyster until a visit to rural SC. Aside from the cooking method, the real difference between North and South is the quantity of oysters eaten. Usually, people in New England may eat a half dozen or maybe a dozen raw oysters at a sitting.

The roasted oysters go down in huge numbers. I bet I ate 25-30 of those suckers just as an appetizer! They were fantastic!

 

[Mace]

lol - yeah, I've had it once or twice

That's referred to as roasting oysters. I think wood fires and coals are better for more uniform heat, but it really doesn't matter. Steaming them usually refers to suspending them in a basket over boiling water (steam). In either case, they turn out the same way. Here in SC, oyster roasts are pretty common. Our local oysters are smaller and salter than Texas or Florida oysters (and better, imo).

The old saying is that you only eat oysters in months that have an "r" in them. I think that predates modern refrigerated trucking, though. We still stick to that rule.

x2... cooking them that way is common down here.

any old piece of metal works (it's better if it has edges to hold in water and/or stop the oysters from sliding into the fire), a fire is better, and the burlap sack usually come with the oysters (the oyster come in the bag)

That's the ticket. Hmm, gonna have to try this one day.

I have done plenty opf grilled Oysters, but had not seen the wet burlap sac overlay..

Cool

 

[nat]

I love oysters, on the half shell, fried, in seafood stew, but my favorite........

oysters rockeffeler

 

[mooker82]

x2... cooking them that way is common down here.

any old piece of metal works (it's better if it has edges to hold in water and/or stop the oysters from sliding into the fire), a fire is better, and the burlap sack usually come with the oysters (the oyster come in the bag)

I went to an oyster roast a neighbor was having and the morons were burning treated wood and using galvanized metal. Turns out they raided a construction companies "free materials" pile. Needless to say I did not eat any oysters that night.

 

[rusty_tlc]

That's the ticket. Hmm, gonna have to try this one day.

I have done plenty opf grilled Oysters, but had not seen the wet burlap sac overlay..

Cool

Sounds like a modification of the classic New England Clam Bake method.

 

[NaterGator]

Eat your heart out.... fresh oysters over ice for the 4th.