Grilled oysters with fennel and lemon butter

Name: Grilled oysters with fennel and lemon butter
Total time: 30 min
Yield: serves 4 as a starter
Ingredients: oysters 12, shucked and in the half shell; rock salt 1 pack; fennel seeds a pinch; butter; fennel 1/2 bulb, plus fronds; Pernod 1 tbsp; lemons 2, 1 cut into quarters; double cream 2 tbsp; Tabasco (optional)

30 minutes
serves 4 as a starter
A little effort

This recipe for grilled oysters with fennel and lemon butter is a really impressive starter and a great way to introduce people to oysters. Your fishmonger can shuck the oysters if you prefer.

October 16, 2015 at 11:37 am

Ingredients

oysters 12, shucked and in the half shell
rock salt 1 pack
fennel seeds a pinch
butter
fennel 1/2 bulb, plus fronds
Pernod 1 tbsp
lemons 2, 1 cut into quarters
double cream 2 tbsp
Tabasco (optional)

Method

Step 1

Lay the oysters on the rock salt on a baking sheet. Crush the fennel seeds lightly and fry in 1 tbsp of butter for a minute or until they start to smell toasty. Add the fennel and fry for 2 minutes, add the Pernod and any oyster juices from the shells and bubble briefly. Add the lemon zest and cream off the heat and season. Spoon some of the mix into each oyster.
Step 2

Heat a grill to very high and grill the oysters until the top of the cream starts to brown and bubble. Serve with lemon wedges and add a shot of Tabasco to each if you like.