The best part of a chicken, duck, goose or turkey is supposed to be its oyster.
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Recently, I asked my Facebook buddies what is their favourite part of a chicken. Of course, everyone has a different preference - some like wings, others like thigh, a few like breast and so on. Clarence and Wai Kuan mentioned chicken oyster.
The location of the "oysters" in a chicken from r/Damnthatsinteresting
The oyster is located just above the hip socket bone of a fowl i.e. chicken, duck, turkey or goose. There are two pieces, left and right in each bird.
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It's a roundish piece of dark meat that pops out easily from the shallow bone depression (like a cradle) where it sits. Its texture is firmer and finer than breast and tastes a little like thigh meat.
Not exactly my favourite blend of texture and flavour, but this is many people's favourite part. (My favourite part is the wing mid joint ๐ )
The French call the chicken oyster, "sot-l'y-laisse" which literally means "fools leave it" (at 1:20 minutes in the video).
The phrase "sot-l'y-laisse" (pronounced solly-less) is a French insult for people who couldn't recognise the best things or is a dimwit ๐
The French even have chicken oyster dishes - here's a simple pan fried chicken oyster dish. Other recipes briefly stewed the chicken oysters with carrot, onion and tomato.
Traditionary, Peking duck is carved into exactly 108 pieces. The head is presented to the most senior person at the table as the brain is considered a delicacy. The tail (butt) is given to the youngest man at the table to wish him success in his career.
The duck oysters are offered to the youngest lady at the table as a sign of respect, affection and well wishes.
But, nowadays I haven't come across any duck carver who is conscious of this tradition. Sot-l'y-laisse as the French say.... .
Can you help me take photos of oysters from your next chicken, duck, goose or turkey meal and email them to ๐ง johorkaki@gmail.com please.
I will appreciate your help very much. Thank you.
Date: 10 Jul 2020
Not me, the chicken oyster has a chicky smell. For that matter, the bottom layer of the chicken thighs has a chicky smell too.
ReplyDeleteLove the oyster!
ReplyDelete