Steamed Cornish Native Oysters - Fiona Were September 16 2012, 0 Comments

Fiona Were cooks Steamed Cornish Native Oysters for Matt Baker
Photo: BBC Country File

BBC Country File Recipe by Fiona Were - Greenbank Hotel

You will need:

6 live Cornish Native Oysters
1 old metal tray for smoking
1 rack to fit on top of the smoking tray
Foil to cover the tray
2 handfuls Smoking chips -oak works well
2 Tbsp Loose leaf tea, such as Earl Grey
1 tsp Coriander Seeds
1 tsp Fennel Seeds
Rock Samphire (see below)
Pink Peppercorn and Horseradish dressing (see below)
Portable gas stove or barbeque
1 small saucepan
1 foldaway table
1 table cloth
Rocks to secure table cloth from strong gusts of wind
1 Oyster knife
Plates & Cutlery
Small mixing bowl
Napkins
Champagne Glasses
Polgoon Aval

Pink Peppercorn and Horseradish Dressing
1 tsp pink peppercorns, soaked in a little water to soften
1 tsp finely chopped shallot
1 tsp finely grated horseradish
A couple of fine gratings of lemon zest
juice from half a lemon
2 Tbsp Olive or Rapeseed Oil
A grinding of black pepper

Simply mix ingredients

Method

1. First, prepare your smoking tray, by scattering in the smoking chips and then the tea leaves.
2. Scatter over the coriander and fennel seeds.
3. Place the rack over the top of the smoking tray
4. Carefully open the oysters using an oyster knife, giving it a little twist as you prise the shells open.
5. Remove the flat shell of the oyster and set aside. Using a small knife, separate the oyster flesh from the bottom shell, but keep it in the shell along with the juices.
6. Place the oysters on top of the rack on the smoking tray and then cover with foil, sealing the foil around the edges of the tray.
7. Ignite the gas stove and place the smoking tray on top of the hob.
8. It will not take long for the smoker to start working. Once you can smell smoke, smoke the oysters for about 3 minutes, then remove from the heat and set aside.

Smoked Cornish Native Oysters & Primrose Herd Ham Hock Terrine with pickled Kohl Rabi - Fiona Were September 16 2012, 0 Comments

Falmouth Oyster Festival Recipe by Fiona Ware - Greenbank Hotel

Serves 10 to 12 as a starter

For the Terrine you will need:
3 Primrose Herd Ham Hocks, soaked in cold water for a couple of hours
12 Cornish Native Oysters
1 Carrot
1 leek
1 onion
1 handful of thyme
1 bay leaf
2 tsp pink peppercorns, soaked in cold water over night
1 Handful of Finely Chopped Parsley
Method (the night before..)
Put the ham hocks into a saucepan and cover with fresh water. Add the roughly chopped vegetables, thyme and bay leaf, then put over medium heat and bring to the boil. 

Lower the heat and simmer until tender. This will take 2 to 3 hours
Remove the ham hocks from the 'stock' and set aside to cool, until they are cool enough to handle
Strain the stock and then reduce by two thirds. Pass through a fine sieve lined with muslin. Cool then refrigerate, until the next day
Pick the meat from the ham hocks and chop. Place in the fridge, covered and save for the next day

The following day: 

Shuck your oysters and set them in the half shell, flesh side up, over a rack, set above a roasting tray with a handul of smoking chips and 1 tbsp of tea leaves in the base of the tray.
Cover with foil and place over high heat until smoke starts to seep out from under the foil. Turn the heat down and smoke for about 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Take the fat off the top of the set ham stock and place in a saucepan. If it has not set solid, soften 2 leaves of gelatine in cold water. ~
Add any liquor off the smoked Cornish Native Oysters to the ham stock, then place over low heat to melt. Check the seasoning. Once the stock is hot, add the softened gelatine, if you need to, stir to melt then cool to room temperature
Mix the chopped ham hock meat with the chopped parsley and pink peppercorns
Line a terrine mould with cling film, or use small dariole moulds if you prefer
Place half the ham hock mix into the mould, then layer a row of the smoked oysters down the middle. Top with the rest of the ham mix
Pour over the ham stock to cover then set in the fridge until cold and set solid.
To serve, cut into slices and accompany with pickles and rustic bread. I would recommend pickled purple Kohl Rabi, a fresh Green Tomato dressing and some Watercress.

If you would like to try Cornish Native Oysters, we regularly feature them on our daily changing dinner menu,  or you can contact Chris Ranger direct

Happy cooking!
Fiona