CHEFS' RECIPES
Oysters with mignonette and truffle crépinettes

Oysters with mignonette and truffle crépinettes

My parents used to take us to Gujan-Mestras, near Arcachon on the Atlantic coast, to celebrate the oyster festival, so I’ve made my own tradition by putting this on the menu every year.

Serves 8

Cooking Time Prep time 40 mins, cook 10 mins



4   dozen oysters such as Sydney rock, freshly shucked
Mignonette
100 ml   good-quality red wine vinegar
80 gm   golden shallots, finely chopped
Truffle crépinettes
600 gm   coarsely minced pork belly
2 tbsp   truffle oil
8   thin slices of truffle (about 10gm)
120 gm   caul fat, soaked in cold water for 1 hour, drained, then cut into 8 pieces (see note)


1 For mignonette, combine red wine vinegar and shallot in a non-reactive bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until required.
2 For truffle crépinettes, combine pork belly and truffle oil in a large bowl, mixing well to combine. Season to taste. Divide mixture into 8 equal balls, then flatten slightly to form a patty. Place a truffle slice on each and wrap in a piece of caul fat, making sure it overlaps completely to seal. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat, add truffle crépinettes and cook, turning occasionally, until golden (8-10 minutes). Keep warm.
3 Arrange 6 oysters around edges of plates and spoon a little mignonette over each. Place a crépinette in the centre and serve with extra mignonette to the side.

Note Caul fat, also known as crépine, is the lace-like fatty membrane that surrounds the intestines and stomach of cows, sheep and pigs. It melts while it cooks, so is a useful alternative to casing. Available from select butchers, it will need to be ordered ahead.

Drink Suggestion A dry Entre-Deux-Mers wine from Bordeaux or a blanc de blancs Champagne.

RECIPE Bruno Loubet PHOTOGRAPHY Petrina Tinslay STYLING Emma Knowles DRINK SUGGESTION Bruno Loubet

Search by cuisine, name, ingredients...