Dad's Pride-of-Mobile Fried Oysters for #SundaySupper

My dad's fried oysters are like no one else's. It's some sort of alchemy the way his oysters turn out so tender, velvety, and golden--as if conjured rather than fried. I get this goodness just once a year now, in December, when my husband, son, and I visit my hometown of Mobile, Alabama. The ingredients for Dad's fried oyster recipe couldn't be simpler. Just cornmeal, eggs, salt, pepper and shucked oysters.  There's parsley in my oysters but not in Dad's. He would want me to say that. He'd also want me to say that the "Pride-of-Mobile" title was all my idea, that everyone down there fries oysters the same way. (Hence, the title.)

I have watched my father fry oysters for breakfast--always for breakfast--for 40-plus years. I was usually the one in the kitchen with him because he needed someone to gather and prep ingredients and to listen to and heed his admonishments. Get the oil hot but not smoking. We wouldn't want to burn the house down. Keep the frying pan handle pointed away from you. Dry the oysters on paper towels before bathing them in the egg. Careful now. Putting wet oysters in hot oil will cause spattering and popping. 

When I'm home, I still help Dad in the kitchen. He cautions and directs.  I listen and do. And try to avoid catastrophe. 

So Dad, I made these oysters by myself, in a month with no "R" in the spelling, and have lived to write about it. Thanks for teaching me to appreciate good seafood and to cook it properly--and without burning the house down. Happy Father's Day!

Dad in his kitchen.

Dad's Pride-of-Mobile Fried Oysters (Serves 3)

Ingredients

16 ounces fresh shucked oysters, divided

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cracked pepper

1 sprig parsley, minced (optional)

1 cup whole-grain cornmeal 

Grapeseed or canola oil

Sprig of "Purple Ruffles" basil for garnishing (optional)

Directions

1. Place oysters on clean dish towel or on several paper towels. Place another clean dish towel or paper towels on top of oysters and pat very gently to remove moisture.
2. Place drained oysters in beaten egg. Using your fingers or silicon tongs, turn oysters over to coat both sides.
3. Remove oysters from beaten egg and place on a clean cutting board or plate. Season oysters with salt and pepper on both sides.
4. Pour cornmeal into a resealable, gallon-sized plastic bag. Add minced parsley to cornmeal and shake to evenly distribute the parsley. Place half the oysters in the bag and seal. Invert and manipulate bag to coat the oysters--avoid shaking the bag vigorously, which could tear the oysters.
5. Heat 1-inch of grapeseed or canola  oil in a 10-inch skillet. Place half the oysters in hot oil and fry them for 50 seconds to one minute per side until golden brown. 
6. Place fried oysters on paper towels to drain for a minute. Fry the remaining oysters and drain on paper towels.
7. Plate oysters, garnish with basil, and serve plain or with condiments.

This post is part of a Father's Day tribute by bloggers in the #SundaySupper group. For more father-and-food memories and recipes, click on the links below. If you're interested in participating in posting for #SundaySupper, check out the group on Facebook and on Twitter.

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Father's Day Brunch:

• Dad's Omelette Bar Small Wallet Big Appetite 
• Peanut Butter and Honey for Father's Day Breakfast Yummy Smells 
• Healthy French Toast In the Kitchen with Audrey
• Sausage McFelix Breakfast Sandwich Diabetic Foodie 

Dad's Favorite Soup, Salads and Bread:

• Phil's Pasta Tuna Salad The Watering Mouth 
• Simple German Potato Salad and Wiener Wursts German Foodie
• Roasted Beet Soup Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Dad's Cornbread Magnolia Days 

Father's Day Favorite Mains:

• Greek Burger Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
• Dad's Favorite Roast Beef Mrs. Mama Hen 
• Sonoran Hot Dogs Damn Delicious 
• Paska Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks 
• Bacon Stuffed Jucy Lucy Burger Are you Hungry?
• Spicy Roasted Salon in Coconut Sue's Nutrition Buzz 
• Dad's Pride-of-Mobile Fried Oysters Pescetarian Journal
• Smoked Baby Back Ribs Girl in the Little Red Kitchen 
• Grilled Pork Tora's Real Food 
• Beef Tongue in Tomato Sauce Basic and Delicious 
• Bibim naeng myun KimcheeMom
• Chicken Biryan Soni's Food for Thought
• Black Beans, Corn and Rice Mama's Blissful Bites
• Curry Fish with Mixed Vegetables MyTrials in the Kitchen

Dad's Sweet Tooth:

• S'mores Pudding Pie Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Bread and Butter Pudding Cositas Bonitas  
• Tin Roof Sundae Ice Cream famfriendsfood
• Coconut Cream Pudding Chocolate Moosey
• Rich & Fluffy Banana Pudding Parfait The Meltaways 
• Black Forest Cheesecake Cravings of a Lunatic
• Macadamia Nut Cookies Pippi's in the Kitchen Again
• Peach Cobbler Bars Juanita's Cocina  
• Iced Cookie Bars That Skinny Girl Can Bake
• Pudim Molotoff, Portuguese Meringue Pudding Family Foodie

Wine Pairings for Father's Day ENOFYLZ