Oysters are a type of mollusk classified as bivalve marine creatures due to their characteristic, two-halved shells. Oysters can often be found close to the shore, so they are a popular type of seafood in many coastal regions.

Seafood and shellfish allergies are quite common and often thought to be intertwined, though this is not always the case. Shrimp and oysters are both shellfish, but shrimp are crustaceans and oysters are mollusks. Having an allergy to shrimp does not automatically mean you also have an allergy to oysters.

Fresh crabs and other shellfish are among the most perishable of all foods. They die quickly once they've left the water, and spoil just as quickly once they've died. For that reason, crabs are often cooked and blast-frozen on large shipping boats immediately after the catch, in the interest of freshness.

Oyster steak is a small cut of beef taken from above the backbone on the rump of the cow. It usually weighs only 6 to 8 oz. and is a tender piece of meat. Oyster steak has a high moisture content and does well when cooked using high heat, such as with grilling, broiling or pan searing.

Whole Dungeness crab purchased from a grocery store or fish market is often boiled before it is sold. However, to reheat the crab meat without drying it out, steaming the crab for a short period is the best method.

Though your taste buds may have prompted you to keep going, your stomach screamed louder that enough is enough and the leftover crab was saved for another meal. When that meal comes around and you plan to finish what you couldn’t previously, it’s important to make sure that it’s heated correctly.

Seafood makes for a delicious and healthy meal, and cooking enough for leftovers ensures you can enjoy your dish without having to make it from scratch. Eat leftovers within four days of when the meal was prepared to prevent food poisoning or other food-borne illnesses.

Frying crab cakes in a pan is the best method of cooking this tasty dish. The size of the cakes varies from about 1-inch-diameter cakes for an appetizer, to 3 inches wide for a main dish. Cooking the cakes is not difficult, as long as there is enough moisture to hold them together so they do not crumble when flipping.

Dungeness crabs are a variety of crab that is found in the waters of the West Coast of North America. The name of the crab derives from the name of the city Dungeness, Washington. The crab is harvested using a variety of methods, including using nets and special-made crab pots.

Consumers in the U.S. can purchase live crab for cooking at home or precooked crab legs and claws. Producers who supply food retailers with crabmeat, legs and claws sold in the United States often cook and freeze them prior to shipping.

Mussels are a shellfish that contain omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B-12. You can eat mussels raw, steamed, boiled or fried as an appetizer or entrée. No matter how you prepare them, you should always start with fresh mussels.

Cooking fish in a sealed, airtight pouch is one of the easiest and healthiest preparation methods. Referred to as cooking "en papillote" -- the French term for the technique -- it usually calls for wrapping the fish in a parchment parcel and baking it in the oven.