Panko Oysters w/ Assorted Mushrooms

PANKO OYSTERS 

w/ Assorted Mushrooms and Garlic Soy Sauce

Garnished w/ Micro Radish. 

Cook and Prep Time: 25 Minutes

Serves 3

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I first encountered the technique of deep frying oysters on a friend's blog. Winston (The Hungry Excavator) had coated these saltwater clams in batter and panko crumbs and deep fried them to an exquisite golden color. His recipe paired the oysters with a bowl of delicious Chawanmushi (Japanese Steamed Egg Custard) and homemade japanese tartare sauce. 

My take on the deep fried panko oysters dish uses a similar approach and play with Asian flavors. However, instead of Chawanmushi, I decided to add elements with a more resistant texture than the silkiness of the Chawanmushi. Enoki and Wood Ear mushrooms a softer crunch component whilst the butter poached King Oyster mushrooms taste silky and smooth. Finally, the garlic soy sauce ties the dish together by adding saltiness and sweetness. 

Overall, this is one of my favorite entrées to serve. 

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PANKO OYSTERS (recipe from The Hungry Excavator)

• 1 Dozen Fresh Oysters
• 1 Cup Water
• 1 tsp of Salt
• 1 Egg
• 4 Tbsp Plain Flour
• 2 Tbsp Water
• ½ Cup Plain Flour 
• 1½ Cups Panko Breadcrumbs 
• Vegetable Oil for Deep Frying 

1. Rinse the oysters well in salt water and pat them dry using a paper towel. Clean, dry then reserve the oysters shells. 

2. To make the batter, mix the egg, 4 Tbsp of plain flour and 2 Tbsp of water until well combined. 

3. Coat each oyster with a light dusting of flour. Cover the oysters in the batter mixture then coat well with the panko breadcrumbs. 

4. Chill the oysters in the fridge for 20 minutes. 

5. Heat up 5cm of oil in a medium saucepan until very hot (there should be some smoking at the surface). 

6. Deep fry the oysters until golden brown. Place on a paper towel to absorb the excess oil. 

JAPANESE TARTARE SAUCE (recipe from The Hungry Excavator)

• 1 Hard Boiled Egg
• 2 Tbsp Onions, Finely Minced
• 2 Tbsp Parsley, Finely Minced 
• 1 Small Pickled Cucumber, Finely Diced
• 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise 
• 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice 
• Salt to Taste

Mash the hard boil egg finely and mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined. 

GARLIC SOY SAUCE 

• 50ml Soy Sauce 
• 50ml Mirin (Japanese Rice Wine Vinegar)
• 3ml Sesame Oil
• 2 Cloves Garlic, Finely Diced

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. 

ASSORTED MUSHROOMS

• 200g Enoki Mushrooms
• 200g Wood Ear Mushrooms
• 200g King Oyster Mushrooms, 1cm Slices Length-ways
• 50ml Olive Oil 
• 50ml Unsalted Butter
• Salt to Taste.

1. Heat the olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Melt the butter in the olive oil and cook for another 10 seconds. 

2. First, sear the king oyster mushroom on one side for one minute, then turn the king oyster mushroom over. 

3. Add the enoki and wood ear mushrooms to the pan cook for a further 2 minutes or until mushrooms are soft. Season with salt to taste. 

4. Place the mushrooms on a plate and keep warm. 

5. Deglaze the pan with the garlic soy sauce for 20 seconds then take the pan off the heat. 

PLATING UP

• Panko Oysters and Shells
• Assorted Mushrooms
• Garlic Soy Sauce
• Japanese Tartare Sauce 
• Micro Radish 

1. Center the king oyster mushrooms on the plate. Stack the wood ear first then the enoki mushrooms. 

2. Spoon a dollop of japanese tartare sauce into the shells, then place the deep fried panko oysters onto the sauce. 

3. Stagger 4 shells around the mushrooms. 

4. Dress the mushrooms with 1 Tbsp of garlic soy sauce on each plate. 

5. Garnish the mushroom center with micro radish. 

      

Gnocchi in Parsley Cream

GNOCCHI IN PARSLEY CREAM
w/ Roasted Butternut Pumpkin and Crispy Potato Discs
Garnished w/ Micro Radish.

Cook and Prep Time: 1 Hour
Serves 4

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Winter is truly coming and there is no greater pleasure than curling up in front of the computer with a blanket and a warm bowl of comfort food. 

This gnocchi in parsley cream dish elevates a simple plate of pasta into the realm of elegance, yet retains its earthly roots of being a homemade dinner favorite. The smooth creaminess of the sauce coupled with the acidity of the lemon zest delivers harmonious notes, whilst the crispy and roasted elements provide savory flavors that balance the dish. 

Gnocchi in Parsley Cream is served as an entrée. To adapt this recipe into a main, consider proteins such as poultry or cured meats (chicken, bacon and prosciutto). 

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POTATO GNOCCHI (Adapted Recipe from Taste.com)

• 800g Desiree Potatoes
• 1 Egg, Whisked Lightly
• 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
• 50g Parmesan Cheese, Finely Grated
• All Purpose Flour for Dusting 
• Salt and Ground Black Pepper to Taste

1. Add cold water into a wok to a depth of 4cm. Place a bamboo steamer over the wok and boil at a high heat. 

2. Place the whole desiree potatoes into the bamboo steamer and steam covered for 15 minutes or until tender. 

3. Transfer the potatoes into a bowl and use a potato ricer to mash until a smooth consistency is achieved. Season the potatoes with salt and ground black pepper to taste. 

4. Add the egg into the potato mixture and combine with a wooden ladle. 

5. Add half the flour and grated parmesan and fold until well combined. Add the remaining flour in two batches until a firm consistency is achieved. If required, add more flour. 

6. Knead the dough until smooth and divide into 4 portions. 

7. Roll each portion into 30cm logs with 2cm diameters. Using a lightly floured knife, cut the logs into 2cm pieces. 

8. Roll each piece into a ball and press down with a fork to create an indentation. Place gnocchi on a lightly floured tray. 

9. Bring a medium saucepan with salted water to a boil. Add a quarter of the gnocchi into the saucepan and cook for 3 minutes or until they rise to the surface. 

10. Using a slotted spoon, drain the gnocchi and keep warm in a heat proof bowl. 

11. Repeat for the other 3 batches. 

PARSLEY CREAM SAUCE

• 200ml Thickened Cream 
• 1 Sprig Fresh Parsley, Finely Diced 
• 3 Cloves of Garlic, Finely Diced
• ½ Large Onion, Finely Diced
• 50ml Chicken Stock (See Basic Recipe List)
• Lemon Zest (From half a Lemon)
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil 
• Salt and Black Pepper to Taste

1. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil on medium heat. Add the garlic and the onion and cook until soft but not caramelized. 

2. Add the fresh parsley and cook for a further 30 seconds. 

3. Next, gently add the chicken stock and reduce the liquid by half. 

4. Add the thickened cream and bring to a slight simmer. Then, add the lemon zest and continue to simmer on low heat until a thickened consistency is reached (around 2-3 minutes). 

5. Take the saucepan off the heat and season with salt and black pepper to taste. 

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SPHERES

• 1 Butternut Pumpkin 
• Salt and Black Pepper to Taste
• Olive Oil 

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C Fan Forced. 

2. Bring salted water in a medium saucepan to a boil on high heat. 

3. Cut the butternut pumpkin in half and cook the pumpkin for 10 minutes or until slightly softened. 

4. Using a melon baller, scoop out spheres of pumpkin. Pat dry on a kitchen towel. 

5. Drizzle some olive oil over the pumpkin spheres and place on baking paper on a baking tray. 

6. Roast the spheres in the oven for 5 minutes, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.

CRISPY POTATO DISCS

• 1 Medium Desiree Potato 
• Olive Oil 
• Salt and Black Pepper to Taste

1. Wash and peel the desiree potatoes. Using a mandolin, thinly slice the potatoes. 

2. Lightly coat the potatoes in olive oil. Place in the heated oven and cook for 10 minutes or until crispy. 

3. Season the discs with salt and pepper to taste.

PLATING UP

• Potato Gnocchi
• Parsley Cream Sauce
• Butternut Pumpkin Spheres
• Crispy Potato Discs
• Micro Radish Leaves
• Salt and Black Pepper to Taste 

1. Spoon the parsley cream sauce over the gnocchi until just coated (sauce on the gnocchi should not be runny). 

2. Place a quarter of the gnocchi in a pile at the center of the plate. Season with additional salt and black pepper if required. 

3. Stagger 5 spheres of butternut pumpkin around the pile. Then, in between the pumpkin, place the crispy potato discs to cover the gnocchi. 

4. Garnish the pile with fresh micro radish to achieve the desired effect.
5. Serve while warm.