Home oven broilers are consistently inconsistent, and the last thing you want to do is burn the topping or hammer these beauties into chewy oblivion. BLT with Fried Oysters. And youve got a dish that folks will be talking about for years to come. I like that it is herby and grassy vs just plain spinach. If youre new to oysters, Rockefeller is the place to start. This salad will complement your oysters Rockefeller in terms of taste and flavors. Serve with good bread for mopping up all the delicious juices and maybe a sazerac for good measure. gently packed watercress, tough stems removed, or more spinach, gently packed celery leaves or flat-leaf parsley leaves, Pernod or other licorice-flavored liqueur (about 6 tablespoons), Take a Culinary Trip to New Orleans with These Authentic Cajun & Creole Recipes, Oysters on the Half Shell with Mignonette Sauce, 21 Healthy Recipes for Sustainable Fish and Seafood, Velvety Winter Squash Soup with Smoky Garlic Custard, Chicken & Cucumber Pita Sandwiches with Yogurt Sauce. Add the chopped spinach, liqueur, hot sauce, salt ( tsp), and pepper ( tsp). That is so awesome to hear! I supposed a bit of garlic powder, and chopped scallion could be added, but most recipes go overboard with additions that only serve to mask, rather than enhance, the oyster flavor. I think the MOST impressive thing about this recipe is it contains HERBS YOU RARELY SEE OR USE! What to Serve with Oysters Rockefeller? Feeling a bit nostalgic, I remember attempting to recreate the oyster dish from Antoine's (a secret recipe not shared by any employee) in New Orleans. Togue Brawn, who owns Downeast Dayboat, a scallop purveyor, offers sea scallops that have been harvested in small quantities from different bays in Maine, each with a slightly distinct flavor and texture. Add the garlic and cook for another 1 minute. The original recipe dates back to the 1800s in a little New Orleans restaurant, but there have been thousands of variations created over the decades. There are more reasons to consider a side dish, whether you eat oysters yourself or you are about to have some guests. It will get too stringy and not a good consistency once blanched. That said, it would seem a crime to do anything to our delicate native oyster before savouring its subtly lovely flavour even a squeeze of lemon feels like sacrilege. HOW: Pure your herbs and greens with butter and cheese, dollop on your oysters, top with panko and cheese, and bake.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and serve up your Rockefellers. It is a popular American recipe which forms a main dish in many meals and parties. Come join us on this joyous culinary ride. Add the extra garlic (1 minced clove), and saute for 1 minute. Ryan McPherson of Glidden Point Oyster Farm with a crate full of freshly harvested oysters from his farm on the Damariscotta River. Easy Oysters Rockefeller Recipe | Ina Garten | Food Network Oysters Rockefeller consists of oysters on the half-shell that have been topped with a rich sauce of butter, parsley and other green herbs, and bread crumbs, then baked or broiled. Start at the front or side of the oyster (not the hinge) and gently insert the knife between the line where the top and bottom shells meet. If you aren't into anise, or don't drink alcohol, you can obviously leave this step out. Go for it! hope i can find it :). The story goes that Jules needed to find a more affordable and readily available alternative to French escargots, and he decided to tweak the popular snail preparation by pairing it with native Gulf oysters. Learn more about that here. Period. Thats tha, then. Get fresh recipes, cooking tips, deal alerts, and more! Somerset Oysters- Shuck a dozen raw oysters. At their best, he said, his Hama Hamas are mild and clean, firm like an underripe peach, with a melon or cucumber finish thats whats another way to describe crisp and fresh? He took only a second before finding the right word, its like a duck dive.. Yum, I love oysters and this recipe sounds great! Its hard to beat them on the half shell, perhaps with a dash of Tabasco or shallot vinaigrette if you must but, for a luxurious Christmas treat for a select group of friends (because, even at 50p each, four oysters are definitely better than one), I cant think of a better upgrade than oysters Rockefeller, a New Orleans classic so named, according to its creator Jules Alciatore of Antoines restaurant, because I know no other name rich enough for their richness. Drain the spinach in a colander set over a large bowl and reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid. The more assertive rock variety, however, is fair game, and its deeper shell is also a better shape for grilling, allowing the animal itself to stay almost raw while the topping melts and bubbles on top. Spread kosher salt into 2 ungreased 15x10x1-in. Puree the squeezed-out greens, shallot mixture and herbs with a food processor or a hand blender, then add the remaining butter and a good shake of Tabasco and pulse to combine. I temper the alliums' bite by cooking the garlic, shallot, and scallion first in order to not overwhelm the flavor of the oysters themselves. If you can't find fresh, then go with frozen. Add the onion and cook until starting to soften, about 4 minutes. Though the original sauce recipe is a secret, it includes a pure of a number of green vegetables that may include spinach. So much of the food we eat has no somewhere-ness to it at all, he said, and especially in this age of disconnection, the desire to connect to the natural world is primal.. Bag up the paste, or transfer it to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic onto the surface of the paste to prevent a skin from forming and the greens from oxidizing. Most Rockefeller recipes are based on a kind of compound butter, but Franey uses a roux finished with double cream, which, looking at pictures of the Antoines version seems truer to the original, which is clearly piped on top of the oyster. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Meanwhile, the interior will be tender, and the texture will complement the oysters. It is a popular American recipe which forms a main dish in many meals and parties. Remove from heat. Follow the detailed instructions in the recipe to make your side dish. Potatoes work with most types of meat and even some seafood, but few people know they are just as good with oysters Rockefeller. The goal here is to gently cook the vegetables, softening them while also drawing out their natural sweetness as well as water content. Season to taste with salt, erring on the side of less salt, since the oysters are briny. Saut for about a minute, and then stir in the breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt. The flavor is great and it forms a great appetizer. Broccoli is super crunchy, even when roasted. Fast forward 45 years laterthe day before I am to go on the Martha Stewart Show. For maximum efficiency, make sure you chop every ingredient in small details including the avocado too. Here is everything you need to know to ensure you make a good impression. They will shuck them for you and keep them on ice. The last two species the European flats (also called Belons) and the tiny, umami-laced Olympia oyster, native to the Northwest and cultivated there in small numbers are rare finds. Its hard to find in its fresh state. Add the chopped greens and scallions and cook, stirring, until the scallions are soft and any liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. wow, thank you, i never heard of it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How To Make Authentic Oysters Rockefeller - Food Republic "It's a . The other peeve, use garlic and other flavorings. To do this, youll need oyster gloves and a shucking tool. Don't let them sit at room temperature for more than 1 hour. Grilled Oysters Rockefeller (or Broiled) - The Mountain Kitchen Chervil, savory, marjoram to name a few! That said, herbs have a part to play: aniseedy tarragon and grassy parsley both help to add a bit of zing to the bland sweetness of the spinach, and Im also rather taken with the spicy mineral flavour of Bon Apptits watercress, a classic pairing with oysters. Youll want to save about cup of the bread crumbs to create a topping for the spinach mixture. Use an oyster knife, not a regular knife, to pry open the oyster shell. Its like taking a bottle of Dom Prignon and pouring it into a vat of Barefoot Bubbly., Perhaps the best reason to consider the merroir of any ocean denizen is that eating it can transport you to a place beyond your plate, whether thats a wild Pacific Northwest coastline fringed with firs, or a sandy Long Island beach in the summer. Wiggle the knife around until you can feel it slip between the top shell and bottom shell: twist and pry the shell open with the knife. Meat and seafood? Oysters Rockefellers are definitely best served warm, however, they'll still be delicious at room temperature. @MelissaClark Facebook, A version of this article appears in print on, To Eat Oysters Better, Treat Them Like Wine, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/17/dining/raw-oysters-experience.html. We will also teach you How To Make Cocktail Sauce and How To Make Mignonette Sauce!! Oysters Rockefeller consists of oysters on the half-shell that have been topped with a rich sauce of butter, parsley and other green herbs, and bread crumbs, then baked or broiled. At Hama Hama Company, a family-run oyster farm in Lilliwaup, Wash., the Pacific oysters are grown in Hood Canal, nestled alongside a Douglas fir-filled forest. Saut the shallot until softened, about 2 minutes, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant. We hope you enjoy our blog! These Oysters ROCK! Oysters Rockefeller - Food52 This is classically rich French-style cooking, however, thus sweet, winey shallots, softened in butter, feel more appropriate. Directions Shuck oysters, discarding the flat top shells. For serving, mix a couple lightly beaten egg whites with kosher salt to form a wet paste that you can perch the finished oysters on. Although oysters are the seafood with the most obvious merroir, other sea creatures, like bay scallops and clams, can also express it, especially when they are eaten raw. Nestle the oysters on the foil in one layer . Best Oysters Rockefeller Recipe - How To Make Oysters Rockefeller - Delish Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 1; refrigerate oyster meat and liquid separately for up to 1 day. Step 1. 3 Simple Ways to Make Any Meal Taste Gourmet. |. The spinach mixture and breadcrumb topping can be made up to 2 days in advance. That cookbook haunted me. This is maybe one of the reasons wherefore some recipes bring in enhancements for oysters such as oysters Rockefeller. Season with crab seasoning. Look for ice cream salt. Your email address will not be published. Line rimmed baking sheet with an even 1/2-inch layer of rock salt. The carbonation of the bubbly is the perfect contrast to the smooth texture of the oysters. As I slurped each one, I noticed their individual charms: the minerality of the Moonstone, the fresh softness of the Onset, Colville Bays deep umami sweetness, the briny notes of the Malpeque, Violet Coves hit of seaweed and salt. a regular knife, to pry open the oyster shell. Finally, in go some panko breadcrumbs, which are processed just until the breadcrumbs are incorporated. oysters Rockefeller meaning: 1. a dish of oysters (= large flat sea creatures that have a shell) cooked on half of a shell with. Whether youre dining at a five-star restaurant or kicking back at a beach cookout, theres no right way to slurp em down. Because we want the topping to end up being a vibrant, rather than an army, shade of green, it's important to break up the process for the topping. I love family style dinners, I love a fancy ladies' luncheon with my wedding china, or a backyard seafood boil to celebrate my husband's birthdayI love to share food with others. Arrange reserved oyster shells on top of the salt on the . Like many of you, I struggled with what recipe to pick. 1. Position rack in top third of oven and preheat to 450F. 7 BEST Side Dishes, Perfect Caviar Matches: Choosing the Right Cracker, Unleash Flavor: Pulled Pork Toppings Revealed, Perfect Bread for Philly Cheesesteak: Uncover the Best Choice, Enhance Your Dinner: What to Serve with Turkey Meatballs. Thanks drbabs! In a viral TikTok video with 2.2 million views, TikTok user @malamamaofficial opens a $1 Whole Foods bag of raw oysters, revealing a pea crab in one of the shells. The most striking thing about oysters rockefeller is its vibrant colour often achieved, as in chefs Simon Hopkinson, Richard Corrigan, Pierre Franey and Bon Apptit magazines recipes, with pureed spinach, although purists insist this is not authentic. Preheat the oven to 400F. Place one oyster in each shell, evenly divide the green sauce among the oysters and sprinkle with Parmesan. Scoop a generous portion of the greens mixture on top of the oyster. Can one use the tan lumpy stuff meant for Ivey driveways? Oysters Rockefeller Recipe: How to Make It - Taste of Home Add the garlic and cook for another 1 minute. My grandmother had a cook book with recipes from many famous restaurants, but the owners wouldn't give this recipe. She has also written dozens of cookbooks. Not sure what to serve with oysters Rockefeller to impress your guests? Process vegetables, scraping down sides of food processor bowl as needed, into a coarse paste, about 30 seconds. If we talk about oysters, it is eaten in several ways viz. Before you prepare them to serve, make sure you give them a nice rinse under cool water. Add 1/4 cup of the butter and, when it's melted, add the shallots. Since it is quite fat healthy fats, though, the avocado will make your meal feel more fulfilling. The first step is to sweat garlic, shallots, fennel, celery, and scallion whites in butter. Slowly whisk in whole milk until the sauce has a creamy consistency. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, have released all their liquid, and liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. COPYRIGHT 2021 KRIS LONGWELL. Pop the sheet tray in the oven, and broil the oysters until the topping starts to brown and the oysters are warmed through, which will only take a few minutes. I posted this a few weeks ago and have been trying to decide if this would be my recipe to enter in this week's contest. Heat the grill and arrange the oysters on a heatproof platter covered in rock salt (this will keep them steady). Preheat oven to 400F. Reheat leftover roux in a medium high heat pan. Image Credit: carnivalbrands.com. You really cant go with a bad oyster for this dish. (Yes, you can eat oysters in the summer, but they are at their sweetest in the winter.). Make it easy on yourself and get the oysters scrubbed and shucked at your local fish-market. It will make your oysters feel lighter because of the watery content of cucumbers. There are some risks associated with eating raw oysters. Thanks ! Once they're all shucked, it's time to cover them with the herb-butter topping. Subscribe to our channel here: http://bit.ly/2zzR6BVFollow our Instagram here: http://bit.ly/2AyxPkbLike us on Facebook here: http://bit.ly/2Pa72zCIngredients:Rockefeller \u0026 Somerset oysters-* 2 dozen raw oysters (in shell)* 1 lb raw spinach* 1/2 red onion, chopped* 1 cup white wine* 1/4 cup Perno liqueur * 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce * 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated* 1/3 cup oyster liquor (juice from oyster)* 1/2 cup whole milk* 1/3 cup bread crumbs* 1/2 tsp crab seasoning* 1 tbsp smoked paprika* 5 tbsp butter, salted* 5 tbsp flour* salt and pepper, to tasteCocktail Sauce-* 1/2 cup ketchup* 2 tbsp horseradish* 1/2 lemon, juice only* 1 tbsp sriracha * 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce* 1/3 tsp crab seasoningMignonette Sauce:* 4 tbsp red onion, small diced* 1/2 cup red wine vinegar* 1 tsp black pepper, freshly crackedCrab Seasoning:* 1/3 cup Old Bay seasoning* 1 tbsp salt* 1/2 tbsp black pepperDirections:Crab Seasoning: Combine all spices in a bowl. This is one of those appetizers that people look at and say Wow!then they try one, and say Wow, oh WOW!. Oh my goodness these look so good! Instead, it means it is extremely common in Korean cuisine, and it works with a plethora of different dishes. And in some ways, that's liberating. Remove from heat.
@ drbabs, if oysters aren't your thing--try the miniature puff pastry shells--like the ones we grew up for the holidays in N.O. Before you prepare them to serve, make sure you give them a nice rinse under cool water. Use your hands to squeeze out the excess water, then roughly chop and set aside. [2], Oysters Rockefeller was created in 1889 at the New Orleans restaurant Antoine's by Jules Alciatore, son of founder Antoine Alciatore. Add the spinach in batches, allowing it to wilt to make room in the pan. Add red onions and saut for 2 minutes. I think I carry those same beliefs in my approach to cooking. 25, 2022 0 Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik Why This Recipe Works Let completely thaw and squeeze all the water out. All rights reserved. Mr. James recommends slurping his oysters straight from the half shell while they are still raw, whole and full of life force. In fact, I'm thinking about making a batch of filling and turning it exclusively into "chef's treat"! It makes a nice "chef's treat! Using tongs or a spatula, carefully transfer the warm oysters to the salt-covered platter. Melt 1 tbsp of the butter in a small pan and soften the shallots until golden. 8 tablespoons (4 ounces; 115g) unsalted butter, softened and divided, 2 large shallots (4 ounces; 115g), thinly sliced, 2 celery ribs (3 1/2 ounces; 100g), thinly sliced, plus 1/4 cup (1/4 ounce; 6g) celery leaves, divided, 1/2 fennel bulb (3 1/2 ounces; 100g), cored and thinly sliced, fronds reserved, 3 scallions (2 ounces; 60g), white and green parts divided and thinly sliced, 1 tablespoon (15ml) absinthe(optional, see notes), 3 cups (1 1/2 ounces; 40g) fresh parsley leaves, 1/2 cup (1 ounce; 30g)panko bread crumbs. Thank you so much for letting us know. Krystof Zizka, the oyster buyer and an owner of Maison Premiere, said there was a big overlap between wine culture and oyster culture. Saut for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Invented at Antoine's in New Orleans in 1889, oysters Rockefeller was named for John D. Rockefeller, one of the richest Americans at the time, for its rich sauce. Give the salty half-shell favourites a deluxe Christmas upgrade. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Then, that yummy mixture is topped with butter, breadcrumbs, fennel and hot sauce. would a torch do the trick for cooking the topping? Add the pastis and half the oyster liquor (passed through a sieve) and bubble until reduced by half. By Sasha Marx Updated Mar. Absinthe is legal again, so we might as well use it, no? In food processor, combine garlic and shallots, herbs, and greens with one and a half sticks of butter, cubed. How generous and kind of you to share your recipe/memory. Equipment: Rock salt, coarse salt or foil. Most people will wait for the side dish you do not want to disappoint. With food processor still running, gradually add remaining 4 tablespoons butter, making sure butter is emulsified into paste before adding more. Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller | Chef Dennis I am standing on top of the Rockefeller Center in NYC with my daughter at sunset.her college spring break and I am thinking about my legacy. Top each with a pinch of the bread crumb topping mixture. We dont recommend using baby spinach, which is perfect for a salad, but not cooking with. (modern). EXPERT TIP: Youll want to seek out bunched fresh spinach, usually found in the produce section of most well-stocked supermarkets or farmers markets. Nowonto the good part. WHY WE LOVE IT: The herbs and peppery greens in these Oysters Rockefeller take the usual buttery-breadcrumby goodness to a whole new level; each oyster feels balanced, not just indulgent. So put your worries aside and enjoy a little slurp of heaven with one of these preparations: Head to the grocery store and look for heavy, tightly sealed oysters. Learning more about it can deepen a seafood eaters experience in the same way that understanding a little about terroir can help wine lovers better appreciate the pinot noir in their glass. Shuck oysters, discarding the flat top shells. If you cant find Panko, regular breadcrumbs will work just fine. Dry in salad spinner. Most of the time this ends up being a fun but futile exercisemaybe French duck l'orangeactuallycame from Italy, or maybe not. Albario is delicious, too. Bake potatoes to obtain a crispy exterior. Stop processor and add panko bread crumbs. Add the bread crumbs and saut until they are just a tiny bit golden, about 2 minutes. Bake until slightly browned on top and sauce is bubbling at the edges of the oysters, about 20 minutes. Transfer mixture to disposable pastry bag or small mixing bowl, and set aside. Stop into Marker 32 for our take on raw oysters: Oysters On The Half Shell dozen/cocktail/mignonette/horseradish. If you love oysters, you probably know already how far they can come when matched to the right sauce. Mix well. Thanks to the excellent food podcastProof, I now know celery was theitvegetable of the Victorian era, so it makes sense that it would be used in a well-heeled restaurant dish of that time. In a small skillet, simply melt two tablespoons of unsalted butter and then add 1 minced clove of garlic. There aren't many dishes that have a clear-cut origin story. At this point the mixture should be the consistency of a loose pesto. While we may never know the exact ingredients in Antoine's oysters Rockefeller, it's fun to play culinary Carmen Sandiego and make some educated guesses. Cook out all of the moisture from the spinach. EXPERT TIP: The oysters should cook in a 400F oven for 20 minutes, however, youll want to loosely tent them after about 8 minutes of cooking to prevent the breadcrumbs from getting too brown. Prepare the sauce (Steps 2-3), cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. I'd say my #1 & # 2 peeves about cooking & recipes across the board are the indifference to the dozens of OTHER herbs out there. Two birds, etcetera. i looked for your recipe with this contest but didn't see it.this was a fun way to get to know each otherand ourselves! Cooking the vegetables separately from their greens results in a vibrantly colored topping rather than the usual sad army green. JOIN OUR GROWING TEAM, WE ARE ALWAYS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS! It's a very acceptable substitute. I also increase the Herbsaint--we use absinthe to 1/2 oz. The sauces in your oysters will embrace the neutral avocado. It is best relished in baked or broiled form and while preparing, the shells are placed over rock salt to make the recipe tastier. Celebrate the Holidays with Us this Season! Many contemporary adaptations use diced oysters instead of whole. Furthermore, lettuce is quite crispy, so its texture will work well with soft oysters. Whether youre dining at a five-star restaurant or kicking back at a beach cookout, theres no right way to slurp em down. Set up a rimmed baking sheet to place the oysters on. Chardonnay Mmmm, its hard to not get excited about a yummy, buttery glass of chardonnay with a side of Oysters Rockefeller. (Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.). Oscar Wong via Getty Images. Where do you find it? Love this recipe. Because of a transcription error, an earlier version of this article misidentified the kind of leavesHama Hama oysters consume. Your email address will not be published. by jmdarabos | Aug 13, 2017 | Food, Marker 32 | 0 comments. Of course, the fresher the better. HOW: Pure your herbs and greens with butter and cheese, dollop on your oysters, top with panko and cheese, and bake. 7 BEST Side Dishes. Adjust oven rack to 6 inches below the broiler element and preheat the broiler on high. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice. Baked Oysters, New Year's Eve appetizer, Oysters Rockefeller, or other anise-flavored liqueur, such as Herbsaint, on the half shell, discarding the top shell for each oyster, such as 'rock' or coarse sea salt (about 4 cups). Congrats on a great recipe and thanks for sharing. Shuck oysters and arrange them on prepared baking sheet. Appreciation for the merroir of sea scallops is a recent thing, Ms. Brawn said. Add whatever seasoning you enjoy and slurp that oyster down! Gotta try extra crispy bacon and Old Bay garnished on top-Melts in your mouth. What is rock salt? Don't push the blade too hard. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. There is such a wow factor with this dish, thats its often served for special occasion events, such as New Years Eve. After removing the stems, youll want to add the spinach to a pot of boiling water and stir for about 3 to 4 minutes, until wilted. It's now time to incorporate the greenery. Wild rocket (arugula) has a stronger, more peppery flavor. Mix in the cup of extra bread crumbs. Once the spinach is cooked, add the Parmesan and set it aside. Sparkling Water Sipping on a glass of iced sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon is a great way to highlight, instead of distract, from the distinct oyster flavors. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Oysters Rockefeller (Authentic Recipe with Video) - How To Feed A Loon Shop the Chef Billy Parisi store Decent substitutes for the liqueur are white wine, absinthe, vodka, or fresh lemon juice. Make sure you take the time to fully cook down these aromatics, otherwise you will end up with a loose and watery Rockefeller topping. Pulse again until mixture is finely chopped. We love these oysters, too!!! I always like to blend or process vegetables while they are still hot because they break down more readily, giving you asmoother resultwhile also putting less stress on the motor of your appliance. you would probably love the "chef's treat" that is the leftover mix baked on top of the salt bedthe oysters do cook through so there is none of the "ick" factor when oyster virgins face their first raw oyster. Step 2: Fold a towel over the oyster so that only the hinge is exposed. Thanks for the recipe! I had to figure out how to not only recreate a classic, but to unlock the secret combination of ingredients. Celery leaves, or indeed Hopkinsons chopped stalks, prove too savoury for the panel, competing, they say, with the bivalve itself, which seems to have suffered too much to be overshadowed by a mere vegetable. Bake potatoes to obtain a crispy exterior. Cover everything in a wrap, and you will have an excellent side dish. The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oysters_Rockefeller&oldid=1146701300, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 26 March 2023, at 13:15. And go ahead and have them shuck them for you and save the oyster liqueur (the liquid inside the oysters). How To Eat Oysters Rockefeller
If you cant find fresh, then go with frozen chopped spinach. First of all, oysters are normally eaten in small amounts because they are nauseous in fact, they can become quite disgusting if eaten in large quantities. Throw away the top shell and try to keep as much remaining seawater in the bottom shell as possible.