Japanese Oyster 'Mignonette'

Prepare the oysters

First off – do not attempt to shuck an oyster without an oyster knife. If / once you have an oyster knife, start by creating a secure platform for which to shuck your oysters on by placing a damp cloth underneath a chopping board. This will stop the chopping board from moving around your kitchen bench (alternatively, you could also shuck straight onto your kitchen bench!). Once the chopping board is secure, find a clean tea towel (or glove) and place this next to your work area.

Take an oyster and, with the cup of the shell facing down, wrap it in a cloth with the pointed hinge of the oyster facing out. Place the cloth onto your board and hold down firmly. Insert the blade of the knife a into the hinge where the top and bottom shells meet. Moving the knife from side to side, pushing into the hinge until you have some leverage. With the oyster knife firmly wedged between the top and bottom shell, hold the oyster in the cloth firmly. Twist the oyster knife sharply away from you and listen for the pop as the hinge gives way. The hard part of opening the oyster is now complete.

Once the hinge is broken, slide the oyster knife gently along the top lid, open the oyster completely. Remove the top lid and use the blade of the oyster knife to snip the adductor muscle on the bottom shell, to release the oyster. Try to keep as much of the oyster’s natural liquor in the shell as possible.

To serve

Spoon as much of the mignonette into each oyster as you like, then enjoy!