Oyster orgy, Mooney Mooney

Did somebody order oysters?



A happy bivalve-loving crew headed to Mooney Mooney last weekend, a picturesque spot on the Central Coast that overlooks the Hawkesbury River. It wasn't that far really. Less than 50 kilometres north of Sydney, most of our driving time was spent trying to get out.


Wadham Oysters

A corrugated iron shack was where our oyster deal took place. Between 9 of us, we ordered 9 dozen. Broken Bay Pacifics. It'll take about ten minutes to shuck those, we were told.

We waited outside and kicked at the mountain of abandoned oyster shells. Crunch crunch, they complained.


Oysters ready for shucking

The white posts in the river were a tantalising reminder that only a brave swim separated us from the oyster farms below. The minutes ticked by until... success! A flurry of plastic bags and an outbreak of smiles.


Sink debris

Plans for a picnic in the local park were abandoned when the wind chill factor froze us cold. Instead an indoor luncheon at Kt's parents' up the road. Homecooked goodies emerged from car boots and backpacks. Bakery boxes cluttered the counter top and breads of all different kinds littered the chopping board.

And oysters? Yes, there were a few!


Homemade antipasti by K


Breadboard with sourdough and homemade Irish soda bread


Oysters


Homemade antipasti by K


Homemade marinated chicken wings by K


Broken Bay Pacific oyster

I had oysters with lemon juice, with Thai garlic dipping sauce, with homemade green chilli paste, and others not adulterated at all. I found them a little mild but then I've always been a devout Sydney Rock oyster fan, resplendent in briney minerals and the taste of the sea.


Homemade Irish soda bread by M

M's famous Irish soda bread was probably a tastier highlight. It was heavy and dense with a wonderful nuttiness in both the oat dusted crust and moist insides. It was delicious slathered with butter and, upon M's suggestion, even better dressed with a dollop of honey.


Cherry clafoutis

Desserts were another force to be reckoned with: cherry clafoutis, homemade meringues, a sweet sticky orange syrup cake and slices of tiger roll, named for its tiger-striped crust.


Homemade meringues by X


Tiger roll sponge cake from Bread Top


Homemade peanut butter biscuits by me

I brought along a tin of homemade peanut butter biscuits (recipe here).

I wish I'd brought along an extra stomach too.


Broken Bay Pacific Oysters from Les Wadham
10 Kowan Road, Mooney Mooney
Tel: +61 (02) 9985 9704

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