Oysters for the Big O

Oysters have long been one of the best known and favorites of all the foods considered to have aphrodisiac benefits. Casanova was purported to have eaten 50 raw oysters every day. In the second century A.D, In Rome, Juvenal described the wanton ways of women after ingesting wine and eating "giant oysters".

Oysters are extremely low in calories with a dozen raw oysters contain totaling about 110 calories. They are full of vitamins and minerals like A, B1, B2 ,C and D, calcium, iodine, iron, potassium, copper, sodium, zinc, phosphorous, manganese and sulfur and the all-important omega-3 fatty acids. The high levels of zinc raises sperm and testosterone production, which increases libido.

Raw oysters contain the highest level of benefits, but you can steam, smoke, broil, fry, bake, boil, and saute' oysters and still have a wonderful effect. They are a sexually suggestive food just about any way you serve them up. Some believe that's because of the way they look, somewhat resembling the female vagina.

Whichever way you decide to serve them up, they are worth the experience to have on hand for your next romantic dinner. Try Oyster Puff Appetizers, the Classic Oysters Rockefeller for a sophisticated effect, or my favorite, fried Oyster Po Boy for a romantic picnic style lunch.

Oyster Puff Appetizers

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup Water
• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 1 Cup Flour
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 4 eggs at room temperature
• 1/2 Cup rinsed and drained Fresh or Canned Oysters
• Cocktail Sauce for Dipping

Directions:
Preheat over to 400. Heat water and butter until it's at a roiling boil and then stir in flour and salt. Stir vigorously over low heat for about one minute until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat and beat in eggs one at a time until mixture is smooth. Stir in oysters and then drop by spoonsful onto ungreased cookie sheets.. Bake about 25 minutes until puffy and golden.

Classic Oysters Rockefeller

Ingredients:

• 1 Pound Butter
• 1 finely chopped Celery rib
• 1 1/2 Cup finely chopped Green Onions
• 1 Cup finely chopped Parsley
• 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• Tabasco sauce to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon Anise Flavoring
• 1 1/4 cups seasoned bread crumbs
• 4 dozen oysters in their shells
• Rock Salt (Like you would get for martinis)

Directions:
Melt butter in large skillet and add celery, green onions and parsley. Saute for 5 minutes, then add Worcestershire and Tabasco. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add the Anise Flavoring and bread crumbs; simmer for 5 minutes. Put this mixture in a mixing bowl and refrigerate for one hour.

While you are waiting for the topping to partially set, preheat oven to 350 and shuck oysters. Discard the top shells and scrub and dry the bottom shells while the oysters are draining. Arrange shells in baking pans lined with about 1 inch of rock salt. Place 1 oyster in each shell.

Beat topping with an mixer to evenly distribute the butter and infuse air into the mixture and put in a pastry bag that has a large plain tip. Pipe a tablespoon of the mixture onto each oyster, then bake 5 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately as an appetizer with a favorite beverage.

Oyster Po' Boy

Ingredients:

• 4 Cups Fresh or Canned Oysters
• 3 Eggs, room temperature
• 3 Cups Cornmeal
• 1/4 Cup Flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
• Cajun Seasoning to taste
• Fresh Ground Pepper to taste
• 2 baguettes, cut in half crosswise
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 2 Cups Shredded lettuce
• Come Back Sauce (See Recipe)
• Dill Pickle Slices

Directions:
Beat eggs with a fork and then stir in oysters. Let stand for 5 minutes. In a plastic roasting bag, add all dry ingredients. Taking one oyster at a time, shake off excess egg and shake in the bad until well coated. Fry battered oysters in batches until golden brown, about three minutes.

Spread baguettes with Come Back Sauce, add shredded lettuce, tomatoes and sliced pickles. Top with fried oysters. Serve immediately, or wrap in aluminum foil to take on a sexy picnic! Make sure you have plenty of napkins on hand, this is a messy, scrumptious sandwich! Serve with fruit and your favorite beverage.

Come Back Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 Cup Chili Sauce
• 1/4 Cup Ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Prepared Mustard
• 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons minced onions
• 2 Cloves minced garlic
• Fresh Juice from One Lemon

Directions:
Mix all ingredients and cover tightly. Refrigerate for eight to ten hours. This is a great sauce for po' boys or any other condiment occasion.