Oyster and King Oyster Mushroom Pancake: A Taste of the Sea
Delicate Oyster Pancakes Enhanced with King Oyster Mushrooms
Often called the ‘milk of the sea,’ oysters have various names like oyster shells, rock oysters, and more. To select good oysters, look for those with distinct adductor muscles, plump and round shapes. When they are still in their shells, ensure they are tightly closed. Interestingly, in Western cultures, oysters are traditionally consumed only in months containing the letter ‘R’. Today, we’ll be making oyster pancakes, elevated with the addition of king oyster mushrooms for an extraordinary flavor and texture.
Main Ingredients- 30 fresh oysters
- 1 piece of daikon radish for juice (approx. 5cm length)
- 1/2 bunch king oyster mushrooms (about 50g)
- 1/4 red bell pepper
- 1/4 yellow bell pepper
- 1/6 carrot
- 1/5 onion
- 1/4 green onion
- 2 green chilies
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Generous amount of canola oil or cooking oil for frying
Dipping Sauce- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp coarse chili powder
- 1 Tbsp minced green onion
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp coarse chili powder
- 1 Tbsp minced green onion
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Here’s a fantastic method to clean oysters and remove any fishy smell: use daikon radish juice! Grate the daikon radish finely to extract the juice. About 2-3 tablespoons should be sufficient.
Step 2
Place the cleaned fresh oysters in a bowl. Pour the prepared daikon radish juice over them and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. This soaking process helps to draw out impurities and any strong odor from the oysters. After the time is up, gently toss the oysters with the radish juice; you’ll notice a dark liquid releasing, which contains the impurities.
Step 3
Rinse the oysters thoroughly under cold running water at least three times. After rinsing, drain them well in a sieve. Ensuring the oysters are completely dry is crucial to prevent the batter from becoming too wet and to avoid oil splattering during frying. You can also gently pat them dry with paper towels.
Step 4
Prepare the king oyster mushrooms by trimming the tough ends and separating them into individual pieces. Finely mince the red and yellow bell peppers, carrot, onion, green chilies, and green onion. Mincing them finely ensures they integrate well into the pancake and don’t fall out during cooking. If red bell peppers are unavailable, red chili peppers can be substituted. Scallions can be used instead of green onions. However, the king oyster mushrooms are essential for adding a delightful chewy texture to the oyster pancake!
Step 5
In a large bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them, removing the chalazae (the white, stringy bits). Add all the finely chopped vegetables to the egg mixture and stir well. **Important:** Do not add any salt at this stage! The natural saltiness of the oysters combined with the salt in the egg mixture can cause the eggs to curdle or spoil, affecting the taste. Simply combine the vegetables and eggs.
Step 6
Lightly coat the drained oysters with flour, ensuring each oyster is evenly covered. This flour layer acts as a binder, helping the egg batter to adhere better in the next step, preventing the oysters from falling out and ensuring a cohesive pancake.
Step 7
Dip the flour-coated oysters into the prepared egg mixture. Ensure each oyster is well-coated with the egg batter. Gently mix them to coat evenly. Avoid excessive batter; a thin coating is ideal to keep the pancakes from becoming too thick.
Step 8
Heat a frying pan over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of canola or cooking oil. Carefully place the egg-coated oysters into the hot oil, arranging them in pairs or small clusters to form round shapes. Fry them until golden brown and cooked through on both sides. It’s important to cook them sufficiently to ensure the oysters are heated through. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.
Step 9
To make a delicious dipping sauce that complements the oyster pancakes: in a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of coarse chili powder, 1 tablespoon of minced green onion, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. Stir everything together until well combined. For an extra kick, you can add minced garlic or chopped fresh chili peppers to your preference. Enjoy your flavorful oyster pancakes!
