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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 MAY 2015 Food 35 Fine food of the week Oysters If you are looking to impress a lady friend then a meal of oysters and champagne is definitely the way to go. Along with their well-known aphro- disiac properties oysters are some of the tastiest shellfish on the market. Coming from different families, edible oysters should be distinguished from pearl producing ones. True oysters include the Belon oyster, the Eastern oyster, the Olympia oyster, the Pacific oyster, the Sydney rock oyster and the Wellf leet oyster. Oysters have been regarded with prestige throughout his- tory, with Roman emperors paying their weight in gold to acquire the coveted shellfish. By the 19th century, however, oysters were cheap and mainly eaten by the working class, with oyster beds in New York harbour, the largest source of oysters in the world. Eventu- ally, rising demand exhausted many of the beds and scarcity of these shellfish pushed prices up, restoring them to their sta- tus as an expensive delicacy. Oysters are best served au na- turelle, on a bed of crushed ice with a squeeze of fresh lemon, a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a drop of Tabasco. A mignonette sauce is served as an accompaniment at upscale restaurants made with freshly chopped shallots, mixed pep- percorns, dry white wine and lemon juice or sherry vinegar. Oysters may be cooked in many ways, such as poaching, marinating, frying, grilling or baking. They are also used as an ingredient in a variety of drinks. Like fine wines oysters have complex f lavours which vary according to the water they live in. The texture is soft and f leshy, but crisp on the palate. Fresh oysters must be alive just before consumption or cooking. There is only one criterion – the oyster must be capable of tightly closing its shell. Open oysters should be tapped on the shell. A live oyster will close up and is safe to eat, while oysters which are open and unresponsive are dead and must be discarded. Not only are oysters deli- cious and good for the libido, they are also very nutritionally balanced, containing protein, carbohydrates, lipids and an excellent source of vitamins. Four or five medium sized oysters can supply the recom- mended daily allowance of iron, copper, iodine, magne- sium, calcium, manganese and phosphorus. The National Heart and Lung Institute in the UK suggests oysters be included in a low cholesterol diet. A low energy source, one dozen oysters contain approxi- mately 110 calories. Nature's aphrodisiacs Oysters are best served raw, with a squeeze of lemon PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Authentic, eclectic cuisine at Sharma SHARMA Ethnic Cuisines is an established, popular restau- rant in Mdina with an eclec- tic mix of traditional cuisines from India, North Africa and the Mediterranean on offer. Sharma's decor is inspired by the ancient spice-trading route, which used to run from India, through the Middle East, and lead to North Africa and the Mediterranean. Inter- action between these differ- ent cultures over the centuries influenced their respective cuisines and customs, which have evolved into those we see today. At Sharma, it's about more than just food and drink. The authentic presentation of the various cuisines on offer will stimulate your senses and most of all ensure that your visit will turn out to be a memorable ex- perience! Housed in Casa Magazzini, the restaurant also boasts a large terrace on top of the bastions, which is open from early June until late September where you can enjoy a roman- tic meal in the evening. Take the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views of the valley between Rabat and Mtarfa, or just take in the marvelous sun- set. Opening hours & other information Sharma is open for lunch on Sunday from noon till 4.00pm with last kitchen orders at 3.00pm and all week in the evenings from 6.30pm on- wards with last kitchen orders at 11.00pm. Friday and Saturday nights you can book either for the first seating (6.30pm-7.00pm to be ready by 9.00pm) or for the second seating (from 9.00pm onwards). Booking is advised. Sharma will only accept chil- dren aged 7 years and over. Pets are not allowed. Smoking is allowed on the terrace and a cigarette vending machine is also available. For birthday or any other occasion customers can bring their own cake or pre-order from us at the time of booking. For more information about our restaurant feel free to get in touch, either by phone on 2145 3817 or 9999 6315.