Poached Oysters with Beet Mignonnette

ingredients

• 24 medium oysters, shucked, liquor and 24 bottom shells reserved
• 1/3 cup cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons clear (filtered) apple juice
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
• 2 tablespoons finely diced cooked beet
• 1 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 dash sugar
• 1 English cucumber, peeled and halved crosswise

directions

Bring 1 1/2 quarts water with 1 teaspoon salt to a simmer in a wide 6- to 2 gallons pot, then add oysters with their liquor and poach at a bare simmer just until edges curl, about 1.5 minutes. Transfer oysters with about 1/4 cup poaching liquid to a bowl and chill, uncovered, until cool, about 30 minutes.

Scrub reserved bottom oyster shells. Boil shells in 6- to 2 gallons pot of boiling water 3 minutes (to remove any grit or traces of raw oyster), then drain in a colander. Rinse shells and dry thoroughly.

Stir together vinegar, apple juice, shallot, beet, peppercorns, salt, sugar, and 2 tablespoons poaching liquid from bowl of oysters.

Very thinly julienne cucumber lengthwise using a mandoline or other manual slicer, working around seed core, then discard seed core. Drain cucumber in a sieve set over a bowl while assembling oysters, then discard liquid.

To assemble, place 1 oyster in each half shell and spoon 1 teaspoon mignonnette over it. Top with a little cucumber, twirled into a mound. Serve immediately.