Poached Oysters in Pernod Cream

(1)
Servings:
6

This delicious recipe is courtesy of Emeril Lagasse and can be found in his cookbook "From Emeril's Kitchens."

Ingredients

  • 1 cup creme fraiche, or ½ cup sour cream and ½ cup heavy cream, well combined

  • 1 ¼ teaspoons coarse salt, plus more for spinach

  • 1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • ¼ cup minced shallots

  • 3 cups heavy cream

  • 36 oysters, freshly shucked, liquor reserved

  • 1 cup Pernod

  • 1 pound fresh spinach, rinsed, dried, and cut into thin strips

  • 4 cups vegetable oil

  • 2 ounces beluga or sevruga caviar

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, mix together creme fraiche, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Transfer mixture to a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl. Refrigerate, and let drain for 2 hours. Transfer solids to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.

  2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add heavy cream, 1 1/2 cups reserved oyster liquor, and the Pernod; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon salt and remaining teaspoon pepper; reduce heat to medium. Simmer until liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes; remove from heat. Add half of the spinach to saucepan and puree mixture using an immersion blender, or in batches in a blender or food processor. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large skillet; keep warm.

  3. Heat oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot until it reaches 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Working in batches, fry remaining spinach until crispy, about 45 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, remove cooked spinach and drain on a paper-towel-lined plate; season with salt.

  4. Add oysters to cream sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook until the edges start to curl, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

  5. To serve, arrange six oysters in each of six shallow bowls. Spoon 1/2 cup cream sauce into each bowl; spoon a dollop of creme fraiche in the center, top with caviar, and garnish with fried spinach. Serve immediately.

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