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Oysters Eros
If you are experiencing a chill in your romantic relationship, this recipe, when carried out in full, has had some measure of success with several of my friends. As the Dalai Lama is fond of saying, approach love and cooking with reckless abandon. So throw caution to the wind and get started. The trick is to get the majority of the preparation done ahead of time so all your date sees is effortless action on your part.
The first step is the mise en place — the gathering of the essential ingredients to prepare your dish. Begin heating the cup of sake in a small saucepan over medium heat, slice the ginger, and then bruise the slices with the knife’s handle. Add the sliced ginger and minced shallots to sake and reduce to 1⁄8 cup. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in the butter, reserving 2 or 3 tablespoonfuls for the bread. Strain the liquid through a chinois and keep warm. While the sake is reducing, wilt the spinach in a sauté pan with a tablespoon of sake and a teaspoon of sesame oil. Remove oysters from shells and wrap them in spinach and then the prosciutto; return to shells. Set oven on broil; slice bread, brush with soft butter and place on a baking sheet. Slice cheeses and arrange on a tray. Light candles and start up your James Taylor. Just as your date arrives at the door, slide bread under broiler. Then offer up flowers, pop the Champagne and set out your cheese tray and fresh-toasted French bread. Place oysters on a small baking pan and broil 6 to 10 minutes, or until the prosciutto starts to crisp. Drizzle with sake butter and garnish with chives. Savor the oysters with the last of the Champagne. Read your grandmother’s love poems to your beloved, lean over for a kiss, and the recipe is complete.