Shellfish

Throughout the autumn, winter and spring, shellfish is readily available. Indeed, with the increase in oyster farming, one no longer has to wait for an ‘R’ in the month to be able to enjoy them. If only farming them would bring the prices down! Mussels and clams are considerably cheaper and can be used in certain recipes instead of oysters. I had to do the opposite in Hong Kong. When I wanted to put my Celeriac and Mushroom Salad with Mussels on the buffet menu of the hotel where I was cooking, I was asked if I would mind using oysters instead, as the mussels, the large, green, lipped variety flown in from New Zealand, were far too expensive. Oysters or mussels make very good salads.