Do you love oysters on the half-shell?
Do you love oysters on the half-shell? Although they are enjoyable enough when served chilled, a raw bar is only one way to eat enough oysters to make you feel like a pearl. If you want to cook them, then there are some guidelines you will need to follow. Part of making your crab boil stand out is to offer other types of seafood, so don’t hesitate the cook all of the oysters you want your guests to eat.
Cooking the Oysters
All raw oysters need to be served while still on ice. Slice up some pumpernickel bread into thin slices and butter it up. Alternatively, you can use some water crackers. These suggestions help complete the experience. Freezing the oysters for up to fifteen minutes make it easier to shuck the oysters. This is because their muscles start to relax. Just don’t leave them in the freezer for too long! Steaming the oysters is also a tasty way to enjoy them, especially if you want to use them in a seafood stew or pasta dish. You won’t have to add salt to anything, either. That’s because the oysters come by their saltiness naturally.
If you’re going to cook them, then be sure to pick ones that have just been shucked. Keep in mind that the smaller ones will be more tender. Don’t overcook them. Oh, and play around with different seasonings and herbs to bring out their flavor. Try using thyme, fennel seed, parsley, and paprika. All of them bring something different to the table.
Fun Facts about Nutrition
Now that you have some ideas for cooking your next batch of oysters let’s take a minute to consider nutritional value. A medium pacific oyster, once cooked, will give you more than enough vitamin B12 for the day. Whether you cook them or eat them raw, Eastern wild oysters yield the same amount of vitamin B12 along with 43 calories, 1.4 grams of fat, and 2.3 grams of carbs. Breading and frying the oysters gives them an upgrade in terms of flavor, but you’ll also notice that there will be higher counts of calories, carbs, and fat. Still, you will get plenty of B12 and a third of the iron you need per day, too.
YOUR SEAFOOD DESTINATION
Costas Inn has been a Baltimore tradition since 1971. You may recognize our restaurant, which was recently featured on the Food Network with Michael Symon on Burgers, Brew, and ‘Que! We were also voted the 2015 #1 Baltimore Seafood Restaurant by USA Today, as well as #1 Crab Restaurant 2014 in the Baltimore Business Journal. You may have also spotted Costas Inn during one of our 9 appearances on the Today Show or heard one of our many interviews on WJZ TV Channel 13 with Ron Matz and Marty Bass.
You can enjoy our famous crab cakes in-house or order them online for any time eating. We also provide some of the best seafood catering in the Baltimore area! You can also get your fill from Costas even when you’re not in our dining room: follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube!