Mussels with basil cream, known as "Cozze con crema e basilico" in Italian, is a classic seafood dish that combines the delicate flavor of mussels with a rich and creamy sauce infused with the aromatic freshness of basil. This article presents a collection of three distinct recipes for this delectable dish, each offering a unique take on the classic combination.
The first recipe, "Classic Mussels with Basil Cream", provides a straightforward and traditional approach to the dish, using a simple combination of garlic, white wine, and fresh basil to create a flavorful sauce that complements the mussels perfectly. The second recipe, "Spicy Mussels with Basil Cream", adds a touch of heat to the dish with the addition of chili flakes and cayenne pepper, creating a more vibrant and exciting flavor profile. Finally, the "Mussels with Basil Cream and Sun-Dried Tomatoes" recipe incorporates the tangy sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes, adding an extra layer of complexity and depth to the sauce. Whether you prefer a classic, spicy, or sun-dried tomato variation, this article has a recipe to satisfy your cravings for this delicious seafood dish.
MUSSELS AND BASIL BREAD CRUMBS
Provided by Ina Garten Bio & Top Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Combine the toasted bread cubes, garlic, 1/4 cup of olive oil, and the lemon juice in a food processor and pulse a few times to make coarse crumbs. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper and pulse to combine. Add the pine nuts and pulse a few times to combine but not to chop the nuts. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the wine in a heavy-bottomed pot, such as Le Creuset, and bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover, and cook over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, until the mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that don't open. Add the basil bread crumbs and toss gently. Serve hot in shallow bowls with any pan juices.
MUSSELS WITH TOMATO AND BASIL
Steps:
- Clean the mussels and put them in a large saucepan on high heat. Sprinkle in the white wine, cover and cook until the mussels open. Remove from heat as soon as they have opened, strain off the liquor and keep it.
- Debeard the mussels and discard one-half of each shell. Set the mussels in half-shells on a serving dish.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Soften the shallots in the olive oil over moderate heat and add about one cup of the mussel cooking liquor.
- Reduce the mussel liquor until it has almost disappeared, then add the tomatoes, heat through and add the garlic. Warm through again to drive off some but not all of the volatility of the garlic, then add the basil, freshly snipped. Add the parsley and season the sauce with salt and pepper.
- Heat the mussels through in the oven; don't overdo it or they will toughen. Spoon the sauce into the mussel shells and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 265, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 25 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 647 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram
MUSSELS IN CREAM SAUCE
Serve these mussels with a frisée salad dressed with red wine vinaigrette. Add french fries, plus a baguette for sopping up the sauce. Lemon tart would be good for dessert. See how to clean mussels.
Categories Milk/Cream Mussel White Wine Winter Parsley Bon Appétit
Yield Makes 2 servings; can be doubled
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add leek; sauté 3 minutes. Add mussels and wine. Cover and simmer until mussels open, about 4 minutes (discard any that do not open). Using slotted spoon, transfer mussels to 2 bowls.
- Stir cream and 2 tablespoons parsley into liquid in pot. Simmer uncovered 3 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over mussels. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons parsley.
STEAMED MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND PARSLEY
This is absolutely the simplest way to cook mussels, and perhaps the most satisfying. A big pot of them makes an easy, festive dinner any night of the week.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories easy, quick, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat broiler. Put olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper and let sizzle for 30 seconds without browning. Add the mussels, stir to coat and increase heat to high. Add the wine or water, and put on lid. After 2 minutes, give the mussels a stir, then replace lid and continue cooking until all mussels have opened, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Paint cut sides of the baguette pieces with oil and place cut side up under broiler to toast. Rub toasts with the remaining garlic cloves.
- Stir the chopped parsley into the mussels, then ladle mussels and broth into bowls. Serve with the garlic toasts.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 675, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 58 grams, Fat 19 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 63 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 1758 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams
MUSSELS WITH BASIL CREAM
If you love mussels, this recipe is a keeper. Very easy and lots of flavor. My kids love it! Add a salad and a glass of wine and you have a meal. I buy a 2lb. bag of frozen mussels from the seafood section at the local Super Walmart.
Provided by Jorja Jones
Categories Mussels
Time 18m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook onion and garlic in butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add wine and mussels and cook, covered, over moderately high heat until mussels just open wide, 6 to 8 minutes. (Discard any mussels that have not opened after 8 minutes).
- Transfer mussels with a slotted spoon to a serving bowl, then transfer cooking liquid to a blender along with cream, basil, pepper and salt and blend until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids).Pour over mussels.
- Serve, eat and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 376.2, Fat 21.9, SaturatedFat 11.5, Cholesterol 119.7, Sodium 809.7, Carbohydrate 12.2, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 1, Protein 28.1
MUSSELS WITH BASIL CREAM/COZZE CON CREMA E BASILIC
Add a crusty loaf and a salad and you have a little bit of heaven on your table. I was given the recipe by a restaurant I used to frequent back 'in the day'. Servings will depend on if you are having this as a main or as an appetizer
Provided by Lesley Snow
Categories Seafood
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- 1. For the Mussels: Saute onion in butter in a large heavy saucepan until translucent. Add garlic, crushed peppercorns, bay leaves and salt to taste. Saute one more minute
- 2. Meanwhile scrub and beard mussels discarding those that are not closed. Add wine and 2 cups of water to the pan, add the mussels and bring to a boil.
- 3. Cover and cook over high heat about 3 minutes or until all mussels are open. Discard those that don't open.
- 4. Remove mussels from broth and discard the top empty half of shell. Put the mussels in the half shells in a serving dish and keep warm.
- 5. Strain broth/juices through cheesecloth and set aside for the sauce.
- 6. For the sauce: Heat butter in a saute pan until it foams. Add leek, garlic, tomato and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
- 7. Saute for 3 minutes then add the lemon juice and strained mussel liquid - reduce by 1/3rd over medium heat.
- 8. Add cream and again reduce by 1/3rd. Adjust seasonings.
- 9. Add chopped basil and quickly bring to a boil. Pour at once over warm mussels. Serve immediately or basil will lose it's green tint.
FETTUCCINE WITH MUSSELS, BASIL AND CREAM
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories dinner, easy, quick, pastas, main course
Time 25m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a kettle of water to a boil for the pasta.
- Heat a large, heavy skillet. Add the pine nuts and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted. Remove the nuts from the pan and reserve. Lower the heat.
- Melt the butter and lightly saute the garlic. Stir in the cream and cook until the cream has reduced somewhat and is slightly thickened. Stir in the basil and mussels. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
- Boil the fettuccine about two minutes. Drain.
- Add the fettuccine to the skillet. Heat, tossing with the sauce, then serve sprinkled with the pine nuts and basil leaves.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 563, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 60 grams, Fat 30 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 17 grams, Sodium 397 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams, TransFat 0 grams
MUSSELS WITH BASIL CREAM
Categories Milk/Cream Appetizer Steam Quick & Easy Basil Mussel White Wine Summer Gourmet Sugar Conscious Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes 2 main-course or 4 first-course servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook onion and garlic in butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add wine and mussels and cook, covered, over moderately high heat until mussels just open wide, 6 to 8 minutes. (Discard any mussels that have not opened after 8 minutes.) Transfer mussels with a slotted spoon to a serving bowl, then transfer cooking liquid to a blender along with cream, basil, and pepper and blend until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Season sauce with salt and pour over mussels.
Tips:
- Clean the mussels thoroughly: Remove any barnacles or debris from the shells, and discard any mussels that are open or broken.
- Use fresh mussels: Fresh mussels should have a briny smell and tightly closed shells. Avoid mussels that have a strong fishy odor or open shells.
- Cook the mussels until they open: Mussels should be cooked until they open, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Discard any mussels that remain closed after cooking.
- Make sure the white wine is dry: Dry white wine is best for this recipe, as it will help to balance out the richness of the cream and mussels.
- Use good-quality cream: Full-fat cream will give the sauce a richer flavor and texture. If you don't have full-fat cream, you can use a combination of half-and-half and milk.
- Don't overcook the mussels: Overcooked mussels will become tough and rubbery. Cook them just until they open, and then remove them from the heat.
Conclusion:
Mussels with basil cream sauce is a quick and easy dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It is also a great way to impress your guests at a dinner party. The combination of the briny mussels, the creamy sauce, and the fresh basil is simply delicious. So next time you're looking for a seafood dish that is both easy and delicious, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed.
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