Plain Oysters vs. Oysters Rockefeller

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When you think about oysters, some will try and trick you, such as when you are asked to try a Rocky Mountain oyster in the Colorado highlands. Those, of course, do not come from the ocean and are not even crustaceans. 

In this comparison, there is going to be an examination of the Plain and Rockefeller types of oysters. Plain oysters, also known as Pacific Oysters, are found along the shorelines of the United States and Japan. 

When you think about the Rockefeller Oysters, these are going to be mostly from those crustaceans found on the Atlantic coastlines of the United States.

Almost strictly so, and made into the dollar-bill green sauce-based dish served in most upscale New York restaurants.

What are the Similarities?

There will be a few similarities, such as when you find the oyster in its natural habitat, it will be found in reef environments, where they can filter water for food in relative peace. 

They will be found on ocean floors around the globe, but when you think about the commercialized delicacies that are served at restaurants and in supermarkets, those are normally found in the Chesapeake Bay in the United States.

You can also find them in the North Sea in Europe, and the coastlines of China and Japan. 

Each dish will feature the nice three stages of flavor. First comes the saltiness, which can be attributed to the sea salt environment the oysters live in. Next comes the sweetness and body of the sea creature to finish the tasting with a floral and fruity finish. 

 

What are the Differences?

The main difference between these two dishes is the way in which they are prepared. The Rockefeller oyster recipe will call for adding multiple other ingredients to achieve the crunchy baked consistency that many enthusiasts expect from these dishes. 

The plain oyster will be more of a sushi-type option, leaving the guest to enjoy the natural flavors of the sea-born creatures. 

Raw oysters are best served with lemon wedges (something citrusy) and mignonette sauce (made of shallots, cracked black pepper, and vinegar). Many serve this will fresh baked bread and have been known to add sauces like Tabasco for a bite of a fiery kick. 

 

Pros and Cons: Plain Oysters vs Rockefeller Oysters

The biggest pro of using plain oysters is the ease of preparing a sushi dish. These can be served as a stand-alone item to be served with during a nice afternoon wine tasting or gathering. 

The con will be that not many enjoy raw fish, let alone the smell and taste of seafood, to which serving this pain will be out of the question. 

For the Rockefeller meal, there is going to be a con of how difficult this can be to make correctly; from the kitchens of some of the better-known chefs (Like Tyler Florence), there are going to be techniques that make it easier. 

The pro will be the fantastic flavor that comes from a well-prepared Oysters Rockefeller.  

 

Which one is Easier to Prepare?

As mentioned in the section before this one, there will be an additional level of difficulty when preparing the Oysters Rockefeller dish. 

This recipe is normally reserved for the more upscale restaurants in the four-to-five-star range, to which only top chefs are known to consistently succeed in creating this dish for guests. 

Then we come to Plain Oysters, which need very little in the way of preparation before serving. However, these will need a few steps to clean and sanitize the sea-born crustacean before being served raw or lightly cooked as an appetizer or part of a larger meal. 

 

Which One is More Versatile?

When you think about it, Oyster Rockefeller dishes are going to be made with a certain kind of crunch and consistency. However, this breading will take a slight edge away from this kind, making it limited in how it can be eaten or used as part of a full-course meal. 

Then you will have the plain oysters, which are going to be able to be used in multiple different kinds of recipes and not just used as a raw option for the sushi enthusiast. 

Therefore, it is easy to conclude that the more versatile option will be the plain oyster which can be made into a breaded version of the Rockefeller. 

 

Final Thoughts on Plain Oysters vs. Oysters Rockefeller

Not many will even think about what an oyster is, let alone want to eat one. Remember, and there will be the sea-born delicacy but beware the trickster that will offer you an oyster, not of the sea. 

 

 

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