Baked talaba are a delicious and indulgent treat that are perfect for any occasion. The plump, briny oysters are nestled in their shells and topped with a variety of flavorful ingredients, then, baked in a hot oven.
- Publisher: Pithy Recipe
- Cuisine: Asian
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 5
Baked Talaba
Oysters are known as talaba in Asia. Baked talaba is a dish that involves cooking oysters in an oven. There are many different ways to prepare and bake talaba, but a common method is to shuck the oysters (open them by removing the top shell) and place them on a baking sheet.
The oysters can then be topped with a variety of ingredients, such as breadcrumbs, cheese, herbs, or butter, and baked until they are hot and the toppings are golden and crispy.
Baked talaba can be served as a appetizer or a main dish, and are often enjoyed with a dipping sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice. They can also be prepared on a grill or in a wood-fired oven.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 5 large talaba (Oysters), retain half shell
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 2 garlic clove, minced
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Wash your talaba thoroughly, cleaning and shucking it. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Place a handful of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Then, pour the boiling water over the talaba and place it in a baking dish.
- Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
- After that, add your minced garlic and cook until golden brown.
- Set aside the garlic and the melted butter.
- Pour the melted butter over the talaba, then sprinkle with the drained garlic.
- Next, add more grated cheese and breadcrumbs, then more garlic or powdered milk on top of the cheese.
- Place the baking dish in the previously preheated oven and bake your talaba until the cheese has melted.
- Serve hot.
Recipe Video
This is a video about baked talaba.
Video Credits: Baby na Badtrip
Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 49 reviews.
Recipe Tags: Baked Talaba, Baked Talaba Recipe, Recipe, Baked Oysters
Servings
- Reheat the talaba: If the baked talaba have been stored in the refrigerator, you will need to reheat them before serving.
- Use a tray or platter: Place the baked talaba on a tray or platter for serving. This will make it easier for your guests to access the oysters and will also make for a more attractive presentation.
- Provide utensils: Baked talaba can be messy to eat, so it’s a good idea to provide your guests with utensils such as small forks or toothpicks for picking up the oysters.
- Offer accompaniments: Baked talaba can be served on their own or with a variety of accompaniments. Some options might include lemon wedges, hot sauce, and melted butter.
- Consider the occasion: Consider the occasion when serving baked talaba. They can be served as a fancy appetizer at a dinner party or as a casual snack at a game night or backyard barbecue.
Overall, the key to serving baked talaba is to make sure they are fully cooked, hot, and ready to be enjoyed by your guests. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can serve up a tray of delicious, baked talaba that everyone will love.
Tips
- Start with fresh oysters: Make sure to select fresh, high-quality oysters/talaba for baking. Avoid oysters that have broken shells or a strong, unpleasant odor.
- Shuck the oysters carefully: Shucking oysters can be tricky, so it’s important to use a sharp knife and handle the oysters with care. Make sure to keep the oyster liquor (the liquid inside the oyster) as much as possible.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to the desired temperature before baking the oysters. This will help the oysters cook evenly and thoroughly.
- Use a baking sheet or roasting pan: Place the oysters on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan to bake them. This will help the oysters cook evenly and will make it easier to remove them from the oven when they are done.
- Add flavor: To add flavor to baked talaba, you can top them with butter, herbs, breadcrumbs, or other ingredients of your choice. Just be sure not to add too much, as you don’t want to overwhelm the flavor of the oysters.
- Bake until fully cooked: Oysters are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the oysters to make sure they are fully cooked.
- Serve immediately: Baked talaba are best served hot and fresh out of the oven. If you have leftover oysters, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat them in the oven before serving.
Storage
- Allow the baked oysters to cool completely.
- Place the oysters in an airtight container. If you have leftover sauce or toppings, store those separately in a separate container.
- As I always note, label the container with the date the oysters were baked.
- Place the container in the refrigerator.
- If you have leftover sauce or toppings, you can store those separately in a separate container. Oysters can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Before storing the oysters, make sure they are fully cooked. Oysters are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). It’s important to properly cook oysters to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
Ingredients Substitutes
- Talaba (Oysters): The main ingredient for baked talaba is, of course, oysters! If you can’t find fresh oysters or prefer not to use them, you can try using canned oysters as a substitute.
- Butter: Butter is a common ingredient used to top oysters before baking. If you don’t have butter, you can use a similar fat, such as olive oil or ghee.
- Breadcrumbs: Breadcrumbs are often used to add a crunchy texture to baked talaba. If you don’t have breadcrumbs, you can use crushed crackers or croutons as a substitute or even skip out completely.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs, such as parsley, chives, or dill, can be used to add flavor to baked talaba. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs or a blend of herbs such as Italian seasoning.
- Spices: Spices, such as paprika, ground pepper, cumin, or chili powder, can be used to add flavor to baked talaba. If you don’t have a particular spice, you can try using a different spice that you have on hand or omit it from the recipe.
- Cheese: Most recipes call for cheese to be added to the top of baked talaba. If you don’t have a particular type of cheese, you can use a different type or omit the cheese altogether.
Remarks
In conclusion, baking oysters is a simple and delicious way to enjoy this versatile seafood. Whether you prefer classic baked talaba with butter and breadcrumbs or more creative variations with herbs and spices, there’s a recipe for everyone. With just a few simple ingredients and a hot oven, you can have a tray of perfectly cooked, succulent oysters in no time. So why wait?