Mountain Oyster Research

Have you tried Rocky Mountain Oysters?  I have.  

Recently while debating my husband about the tastiness of the delicacy, we remembered our trip to Harris Ranch.  Harris Ranch is half way between LA and San Francisco.  A beautiful oasis with a tad bit of odor from their famous beef ranch.  Excellent food and service.  A nice restful spot for those that still travel by automobile from North to South California.  I recommend the spot to anyone needing a little shuteye on the Interstate Route.

Anyways, about dinner.  Harris Ranch serves an excellent dinner.  The Beef Wellington and the Rib Eye can't be beat.  After all, the beef is their specialty.  However, we wondered how often people actually order the Mountain Oyster appetizer.  As for my husband and I, we ordered just to brag about the event.  It isn't that often you get to try something new and unusual.  I had guessed at least once a day a daring visitor must dare to try the dish.  My husband argued that on weekends maybe 3-4 times per day.

It is the information age after all and so to ease the debate we decided to call the restaurant and ask.  What is the worst that could happen? They could hang up.  Instead of rejection, our questions were met openly.  We called at 9:00 AM on a Saturday morning following Veteran's Day.  Needless to say, they were probably a bit busy.  The immediate young woman who answered the call,Jeanette, did not know the answers to the questions so she politely wrote them down and went to ask the chef.  Chef Ramsey was also very polite and answered our probing questions honestly.

Q:   Are your Mountain Oysters made from fresh or frozen meat?

A:   They are entirely prepared from fresh meat.

Q:   How often on a daily basis are they prepared for customers?

A:  On a slow day they are prepared about  6-10 times per day.

      On a busy day, they are prepared 12-20 times per day.

I would like to say thank you to Harris Ranch, Cashier Jeanette, and Chef Ramsey for taking time to answer our very important questions.  Thank you for your hospitality and your contribution to my blog.

To purchase your own Harris Ranch beef you can try your local Raley's or Von's Markets.

Harris Ranch also offers online ordering from their Country Store.

They offer numerous recipes for signature meals on their website as well.  However, the elusive Mountain Oysters were not available to purchase online and the recipe to prepare your own was not available.  So for now, you have to travel to experience the real thing.  Maybe I'll see you there...

http://www.harrisranch.com/index2.php

For those daring enough, I did find this recipe on 

What's Cooking America.

http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/RockyMtnOyster.htm

Rocky Mountain Oysters Recipe

Recipe Type: Beef, Calf Testicles
Yields: makes many servings
Prep time: 2 hr

Ingredients:

2 pounds calf testicles*
2 cups beer
2 eggs, beaten
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup yellow cornmea1
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Vegetable oil**
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce

*Be sure to ask your butcher for calf testicles, not bull testicles. Calf testicles are the size of a walnut and are much more tender than the larger bull testicles.
** Use enough vegetable oil to fill your frying container halfway to the top (to allow for bubbling up and splattering) and to completely cover calf testicles while frying.

Preparation:

With a very sharp knife, split the tough skin-like muscle that surrounds each testicle. Remove the skin (you can remove the skin easily if the testicles are frozen, then peel while thawing). Slice each testicle into approximately 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick ovals. Place slices in a large pan or blow with enough beer to cover them; cover and let sit 2 hours.
In a shallow bowl, combine eggs, flour, cornmeal, salt, and pepper. Remove testicles from beer; drain and dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture. In a large, deep pot, heat oil to 375 degrees F. Deep fry 3 minutes or until golden brown (will rise to the surface when done). Drain on paper towels.

Serve warm with your favorite hot pepper sauce.

Let me know if give them a try...