Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- 1. Thaw and prepare: Thaw the snap-frozen abalone in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, slice vertically into 1mm slices - they should be almost translucent. Pat dry with paper towel. No tenderising needed; the freeze-thaw process has already done the tenderising work.2. Season and rest: Combine the minced garlic, pepperberry, saltbush, and lemon myrtle and rub over the abalone slices. Lay the desert lime slices into the mix alongside the abalone. Rest at room temperature for 15 minutes. The acidity of the desert lime begins working gently on the surface of each slice.3. Heat the pan: Set your induction to level 5 (gas medium–high flame) initially whilst preparing the abalone. Then increase to level 7 or high with gas. Use a heavy-based frying pan or teppanyaki plate. The surface must be very hot - a drop of water should evaporate on contact instantly.4. Sear: Add the olive oil. When it shimmers, lay the abalone slices in a single layer - don’t crowd the pan. Cook for 45-60 second’s total. Watch the edges: when they begin to curl upward, the abalone is done. Remove immediately - every second past that curl is a second too long.5. Finish: Add butter to the pan, squeeze finger lime caviar directly over the abalone, give a gentle toss, and serve at once.
Verjuice& Native Herb Sauce
- 1. After cooking the abalone, remove and keep warm2. Add shallots to the teppanyaki plate, sauté until translucent3. Add garlic, cook for 30 seconds4. Deglaze with verjuice, scraping up any caramelised bits5. Add fish stock and native herbs, reduce by half (about 3-4minutes)6. Remove from heat, whisk in cold butter piece by piece7. Finish with finger lime juice and season to taste8. Strain if desired for a silky finish
Nutrition
Notes
- Arrange on a warmed share plate or individual entrée plates; spoon any pan juices over the top.
- The desert lime slices from the rest make a natural garnish - they’ve absorbed all the herb seasoning and sit beautifully on the plate.
- Wild rocket and warrigal greens with a finger lime vinaigrette alongside.
- Sourdough or damper to catch the pan juices.
- A chilled Clare Valley Riesling or Arneis cuts cleanly through the butter and native herbs.
- No tenderising required: Snap-frozen abalone has been through a freeze-thaw process that relaxes the muscle fibres. Slicing vertically at 1mm is the technique - any thicker and the cook time pushes into tough territory.
- The curl is your timer: When the edges of the thin slices begin to curl upward, the abalone is ready. Don’t wait for colour - by the time you see browning, it’s overdone.
- Teppanyaki plate: Ideal for this recipe as it provides even heat distribution across a larger surface - particularly useful if you’re cooking for more than four.
- Desert lime slices: Those that rest with the abalone soften slightly and carry the seasoning. Keep them - they’re part of the dish, not a discard.
- Sourcing: If Eyrewoolf Greenlip abalone isn’t available, ask your fishmonger for snap-frozen Australian Greenlip with sustainability certification. Avoid farmed product without clear provenance.
- Bush herb substitutes: Lemon thyme for lemon myrtle, cracked black pepper for pepperberry.
