Spinach and Crispy Oyster Salad with Rosemary-Dijon Dressing
This irresistible salad became a signature at Savoir Faire. I coat the oysters with bread crumbs flavored with sage, rosemary, and parsley—and strongly encourage you to use all three. The smell alone will have your mouth watering. Fried in this coating, the oysters take on a rich flavor that suggests stuffing. Placed atop a fresh spinach salad, the dish becomes a playful twist on Oysters Rockefeller (raw oysters on the half shell, topped with a spinach-bread crumb mixture and baked). The Rosemary-Dijon Dressing (which should be made first so the salad will come together easily at the end) is one you’ll make again and again—it’s delicious on just about any mix of greens.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 4 servings
Ingredients
Rosemary-Dijon Dressing
Preparation
Step 1
Rinse and drain the oysters, then dry them thoroughly on paper towels. On a plate or pie tin, combine the bread crumbs and herbs. Dip the oysters in frothy egg whites and then in herbed bread crumbs. Press the oysters in the crumbs to ensure an even coating. Lay the oysters on a tray in one layer and set aside or refrigerate (uncovered) until ready to cook. Prepare the spinach and divide among four plates. Arrange mushroom slices around the spinach. Heat 1 inch of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oysters and cook until evenly golden brown, about 4 minutes. Divide oysters evenly among the four plates. Drizzle with the dressing and sprinkle with scallions. Serve immediately.
Rosemary-Dijon Dressing
Step 2
Whisk together the shallots, vinegar, mustard, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is creamy and emulsified. Stir in the rosemary and season with salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more oil if the dressing is too sharp.
Variation
Step 3
For this dish, I suggest panfrying in olive oil because I love the flavor, but you can use any neutral vegetable oil, such as canola or peanut. Either way, you should use enough oil to completely cover the bottom of the pan, and make sure it gets good and hot (but not smoking). To reduce spattering when frying, see that your oysters are dry before dipping them into the egg white and bread crumbs. You might also invest in a spatter screen, which is inexpensive and works well. If your mushrooms aren’t nice enough to use raw, you can sauté them.
