RECIPE

Pan-Fried Oysters with Creamy Radish and Cucumber Salad

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 45 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 8

Paul Kahan loves the intense flavor of oysters, and like most chefs, he adores anything fried. Here he serves the crunchy oysters with a creamy raita-like cucumber mixture.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 45 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 8
  • FAST
  • MAKE-AHEAD
  • STAFF-FAVORITE

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 1/4 cup mayonnaise
    2. 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
    3. 2 tablespoons buttermilk
    4. 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
    5. 1 garlic clove, mashed
    6. 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds, coarsely cracked
    7. 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns, coarsely cracked
    8. 1/4 teaspoon dill seeds, coarsely cracked
    9. 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
    10. 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
    11. 1 small bunch radishes, cut into 1/4-inch wedges
    12. 1 seedless cucumber—peeled, halved, seeded and thinly sliced
    13. Salt
    14. 1 cup all-purpose flour
    15. 2 large eggs
    16. 2 1/2 cups panko (Japanese type of bread crumb)
    17. Freshly ground black pepper
    18. 2 dozen oysters, shucked
    19. 1 1/2 cups canola oil
    20. 1 small bunch watercress, thick stems discarded

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise with the yogurt, buttermilk and lemon juice. Whisk in the mashed garlic, mustard seeds, cracked black peppercorns and dill seeds until combined. Whisk in the grapeseed oil. Add the sliced red onion, radish wedges and cucumber slices and season well with salt. Cover the salad and refrigerate.
  2. Put the flour, eggs and panko in 3 shallow bowls and season each with salt and ground black pepper. Lightly beat the eggs. Pat the oysters dry with paper towels. Lightly dredge them in the flour, dip them in the eggs and then in the panko, pressing lightly to help the crumbs adhere. Transfer the breaded oysters to a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
  3. In a large skillet, heat the canola oil until shimmering. Working in batches, fry the oysters over high heat, turning once, until the coating is crisp and golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Season the oysters with salt.
  4. Arrange the fried oysters on a platter and spoon the creamy radish and cucumber salad on the side. Garnish with the watercress and serve.

Make Ahead

The recipe can be prepared through Step 2 up to 4 hours ahead. Refrigerate the breaded oysters on the lined baking sheet.