Cupcakes and Cashmere

How To: Shuck Oysters

February 12th, 2013

Do you have certain foods that you dislike, but wish you actually enjoyed? That was the case with me (eggs, sunny side up, mushrooms any way, eggplant, etc) and I decided that I was simply going to get over my aversions – and it worked, mostly, except for cold sour cherry soup, (don’t ask). The most recent example is raw oysters. I used to find them revolting – the texture freaked me out, the smell, the whole idea of them. But something changed in the last couple of years and when I’d see people enjoying them, usually at fancy restaurants by the beach, I was intrigued.  I finally gave them a fair shot and it’s safe to say I’m a complete convert. I’m a big fan of any kind of food that involves fantastically fresh ingredients and condiments; and they’ve since become my go-to order anytime I’m looking to celebrate. For Valentine’s Day this year, I thought it would be fun to have them at home, so here’s a quick video on how to make them at home.

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  • http://bgjournals.com/ mary @ B&G JOURNALS

    lovely video and good to know! do you shoot your own, or does someone help you with these–they always turn out so incredibly well-done

  • http://www.ruffleandcurl.com Alyssa

    I love all shellfish, but I’ve never done it at home. Great presentation! (And what a professional-looking video!) :)

    Alyssa
    http://www.ruffleandcurl.com

  • http://www.sweetestsomethings.com Dina Karivalis (@DKarivalis)

    I shucked my first oyster this summer! It was fun!
    xo Dina
    http://www.sweetestsomethings.com

  • http://www.aspaceforlovely.wordpress.com Rachel

    Great video! I’ve never tried oysters, but I love a lot of other seafood dishes so I think I’ll have to indulge in a little culinary luxury and give them a go….

    http://www.aspaceforlovely.wordpress.com

  • http://lakeshorelady.blogspot.com Lauren

    I LOVE this video!! My boyfriend and I love going out for oysters- it is one of our favorite date nights. We’ve never done it at home, though. Great Valentine’s Day idea :)

    http://www.lakeshorelady.com

  • http://www.candystilettos.com Jamie

    I’ve tried & tried to like them and still can’t.. maybe I’ll try again this summer :)

    Jamie
    http://www.candystilettos.com

  • http://dreamsinhd.blogspot.com/ Molly {Dreams in HD}

    i’m just like you – i never really liked oysters because of the slimy texture. but a few weeks ago i tried them at a nice seafood restaurant and am a total convert! love the video :)

  • http://arefinedoutlook.blogspot.com/ Crystal

    I’m still not a fan of oysters but I absolutely love the video and the final presentation of the oysters…it almost makes me feel like I could get over my dislike of them!

  • http://dcinstyle.com/ Elena

    I’m a huge fan of oysters and it would be the best Valentine’s meal, so bad that I can’t have raw food while pregnant!!!:(
    Great video!
    Elena
    http://dcinstyle.com/

  • http://mochaandmoccasins.blogspot.ca Monica

    Oysters are one of the foods I’ve always wanted to try but I’ve been to scared because of their texture.. but if I had them set up or me the way you showed in the video, I would definitely give them a shot. The presentation is so simple and classy.

    M.

  • http://lottiekerr.blogspot.co.uk Lottie Kerr

    I really need to learn how to do this, it’s a skill you never know when will come in handy!

  • Cheryl

    Wonderful job on that video. Never had oysters, but I’m sort of intrigued now. Maybe save for when I’m visiting the coasts.

    • http://www.nursefrugal.com Nurse Frugal

      I agree!!! What a lovely video!!! So classy and fun! I totally feel like I could conquer those slippery suckers!

      • Melissa

        Do you eat them raw? I am definitely a sea food lover and would love to try this! Thank you for posting this!

  • http://Fashionofmysoul.blogspot.com Marie

    That was a great video!

  • http://www.fancyalterego.wordpress.com Heather P.

    Thanks for the video! I have quite the aversion to oysters too, but that has much more to do with the fact that I live in Ohio, and could never get fresh ones. Something about eating an oyster that had to make a 1000 mile trip to me!

  • http://joliejouel.blogspot.com Ashleigh @ Jolie Jouel

    That video was so well done! Even if you aren’t an oyster fan, it would still be entertaining to watch :) ~ ashleigh

    My jewelry blog: http://www.joliejouel.com

  • http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/ pretty little things

    good to know — thanks for sharing this! xo

    http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/

  • http://norebeccaforayear.blogspot.com/ Cassidy Short

    So perfect for Valentine’s Day! And shucking oysters actually looks easier than I would have thought, I’ve always been intimidated to try this at home – thanks! :)

    xoxo
    Cassidy

    http://norebeccaforayear.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.winksmilestyle.com Josie

    You are a STAR, Emily — I’ve always wanted to know how to do this, but have been so intimidated. You make it look simple!
    xo Josie
    http://www.winksmilestyle.com

  • http://ishowedupinboots.com I Showed Up In Boots

    GREAT job on the video! You are so spot on producing content girl!

    http://ishowedupinboots.com

  • http://www.polkadotweekend.ca Dayna

    Yum! I love oysters. I used to hate avocado and just decided to force myself to keep trying it and now I like it!

    x Dayna
    http://www.polkadotweekend.ca

  • Fernanda

    Oysters are absolutely the best. I love to have them steamed and with a touch of balsamic vinegar :)

  • http://lucismorsels.blogspot.com Luci’s Morsels

    I haven’t ventured into raw oysters yet, but I’m sure the day will come. I really enjoyed this video – so classy. And the music was perfect!

    Luci’s Morsels – fashion. food. frivolity.

  • http://mc2squared.blogspot.com Meghan Conard

    Such a great video! Definitely need to give oysters another try!
    Check out my new post http://mc2squared.blogspot.com
    xx-MC

  • http://www.erinscurrentlycoveting.com Erin

    Wow you are super fancy. It must be so much fun to be married to you!

    xx,
    E
    Currently Coveting

  • http://thewischlist.com Heather Wischmann

    “Super classy” – you’re hilarious. Inspired by Pt. Reyes, perhaps? Sort of makes me want to go.

  • http://www.prettylittlefawn.blogspot.com courtney

    Giiiirl. You are brave, shucking oysters. Even after watching the video, I don’t think I could do it. I’m a baby, I’m gonna stick to baking.

    xoxo
    http://www.prettylittlefawn.blogspot.com

    PS: Stop by my blog if you like polka dots, cat print dresses, thrifting, floral crowns, and lace! Plus, I have a giveaway coming soon!

  • http://stylishlyinlove.blogspot.com Sofia

    Thanks for sharing this video.

    If you get a sec, check out my latest post ‘Ripple Effect’.

    Kisses
    Sofia

    stylishlyinlove.blogspot.com

  • meg

    I wish I liked oysters. I keep giving them a try, but just haven’t got there. This is also my feeling with olives and blue cheese.

    http://happinessiscreating.com/

  • http://baublestobubbles.com Olivia

    I’ve never had oysters because they’ve always grossed me out, but I feel like I need to try them at some point!

  • http://beancakes.wordpress.com/ Kristina

    Great job Emily, I love both oysters and clams. West Marin has some great restaurants for this kind of thing, I’m sure you already know this ;)

  • http://www.zestfest.blogspot.com.br Patricia

    I’m loving all the video content you’ve been posting, Emily! This one looks great and so well recorded.

    xxx

  • Laurie

    Excellent tutorial.
    M y husband and I LOVE oysters, but I never thought of doing them at home.
    Thanks.

  • http://prettyinpolkadot.blogspot.com Melissa

    I was convinced I was the only one who doesn’t like eggs or mushrooms (let alone any type of seafood), but your post is encouraging! Oysters seem like the perfect fancy food for Valentine’s Day!

    Melissa
    http://www.prettyinpolkadot.blogspot.com

  • http://adgerblog.net anna

    Cute video! You’ve inspired me to get a little more creative with our Valentine’s dinner. Thanks!

  • http://gbofashion.com Shannon

    Great tutorial! GBOfashion.com

  • http://molly-alone.com molly alone

    such a beautiful video!!

  • http://shopstyletherapy.com/ Erica

    I’m still working on that one (you’d think this Louisiana girl would love them)… My husband is a fan, so I might have to treat him this week! Thanks for the how-to!
    Erica

  • http://seaandswank.com/ Susie

    I used to hate oysters too, but now I’m a huge fan – not sure if you’ve ever checked out out, but if not you should visit the Hog Island Oyster Farm on the Tomales Bay next time you’re up north. Delicious oysters in a beautiful setting!

    Sea and Swank

  • http://poorlittleitgirl.com Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl

    Oysters have become one of my favorite indulgences lately…great tutorial!!

    xoxo
    Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
    http://poorlittleitgirl.com

  • http://www.eatstyleplay.com EatStylePlay

    I have yet to eat them raw. I love them lighly fried on a po boy. They are soo yummy.

  • http://www.champagnestar.com Josephine

    Great video! I’ve recently been acquiring a taste for oysters, and definitely want to try this soon!

    <3 Josephine
    http://www.champagnestar.com

  • http://champagnelifestyles.blogspot.com Hannah

    I love oysters! Always been a tad bit confused on how to eat them. I know you’re supposed to slurp them but I kind of like chewing them? Haha

    Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget

  • http://losangelesbrunette.blogspot.com/ Kareena

    oysters are fun! nice post

    xoxo
    kareena

    http://losangelesbrunette.blogspot.com/

  • http://anotherbeautifulthing.blogspot.com Brittney

    I used to love oysters (and preparing them), until I learned that the oyster is still alive until you break open the shell. After that, I couldn’t bear to crack open any more!

    Brittney

    anotherbeautifulthing.blogspot.com

  • http://magsmind22.blogspot.com/ Mags Pomichowski

    Thanks for sharing this. Oysters are a bit of a challenge to do at home so this is totally motivating to give it a try. On that note, my boyfriend is a chef so a. he calls people that go out on vday are amateurs b/c you never get good service or great food and its way too busy. b. he is always working so we have to re-create vday another day during that week or month. Happy Valentine’s Day for you and your hubby!
    xoxo
    Mags
    http://magsmind22.blogspot.com

  • http://www.twelfth-avenue.com Kelsey

    Oysters will always remind me of Hog Island, love the video!

  • http://perpetuallycaroline.blogspot.com Caroline L.

    I tried oyster once when I was little and hated it. But I’ve really been trying to man myself up and try it again. I love fried oysters- that’s a start, right?

    http://perpetuallycaroline.blogspot.com

  • http://www.lakenmoon.blogspot.com Simona

    I do love oysters, here you can eat them at the Farmers Market, and thanks for showing how to open them, I have been afraid of buying them!

    Simona http://www.lakenmoon.blogspot.com
    GIVEAWAY: win a LONGCHAMP Le pliage BAG
    http://lakenmoon.blogspot.fr/2013/02/giveway-longchamps-le-pliage.html

  • http://123456devon.blogspot.com Devon

    My boyfriend loves oysters! Maybe now I’ll surprise him with fresh shucked oysters… hmm…

  • http://www.lapetitegigi.blogspot.com La Petite Gigi

    How romantic! I love oysters and try to order them as often as I can. So happy you learned to embrace them! Great video. Come see what I whipped up for Valentine’s Day on La Petite Gigi!