Indulge in the delectable flavors of the Mediterranean with this classic Italian dish: Pasta with Mussels, Tomatoes, and Crispy Fried Capers. This seafood pasta combines the briny sweetness of mussels, the tangy brightness of tomatoes, and the savory crunch of fried capers to create a symphony of flavors.
The combination of ingredients creates a medley of flavors that tantalize your taste buds. The tender mussels burst with a briny, oceanic essence that is perfectly complemented by the sweetness of ripe tomatoes. The crispy fried capers add a textural contrast and a burst of piquant flavor. This dish is not only easy to prepare but also incredibly versatile, making it a perfect choice for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion feast.
Alongside the main recipe, you'll also find a collection of complementary recipes to elevate your culinary experience. Learn how to make a flavorful tomato sauce from scratch, using fresh tomatoes for a vibrant, rich flavor. Discover the art of preparing the perfect fried capers, achieving that tantalizing crispy texture and nutty flavor. And for a delightful appetizer, try your hand at making crispy fried zucchini slices, a classic Italian side dish that adds a touch of freshness to the meal.
PASTA WITH SMOKED MUSSELS AND CAPERS
Steps:
- Bring large pot of water to a boil and boil pasta. Meanwhile prepare the ingredients: Coarsely chopping the mussels, sardines, capers and parsley and adding them to the bottom of a mixing bowl. Add lemon juice and olive oil and season to taste with salt and crushed red pepper.
- When pasta is done, drain and shake dry and add to the bowl; toss with scallions, reserving some for garnish. Serve warm.
- Refresh leftovers with vinaigrette.
SPAGHETTI WITH MUSSELS AND TOMATOES
This simple pasta dish uses canned mussels that are marinated in a smoked paprika and fennel tomato sauce, making the sauce for this pasta nearly finished! Add salt to some halved cherry tomatoes to let them juice out slightly and combine it with the canned mussels and sauce, and a bit of pasta cooking water to complete the dish. It's as simple as that!
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 25m
Yield 1 to 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Season the tomatoes with salt in a large bowl; let sit 15 minutes. Stir in the mussels, parsley, scallions, lemon juice and olive oil.
- While the tomatoes sit, cook the pasta in a pot of boiling, salted water according to the label. Drain, then toss with the tomato-mussels mixture, adding a splash of pasta cooking water to loosen, if needed. Serve with a lemon wedge.
PASTA WITH MUSSELS IN TOMATO SAUCE
Semolina linguine is a traditional and wonderful pasta to use. But you can make the dish with whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta; both are getting better and better. Look for a flat noodle like tagliatelle, fettuccine or linguine. If you use whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta, make sure not to overcook it. My rule of thumb is to check for doneness a minute before the suggested cooking time on the package; noodles should be cooked al dente.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, lunch, pastas, main course
Time 50m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Pulse tomatoes with juices in food processor just a few times to break down into a coarse purée; set aside. Bring large pot of water to boil for pasta.
- Meanwhile, in a wide skillet or saucepan with lid, combine crushed garlic clove and shallot with white wine. Bring to a boil and add mussels. Cover and cook, shaking pan from time to time, 2 to 4 minutes, or until mussels open up. Check mussels after 2 minutes; transfer open mussels to a bowl using tongs. Cover pan again, wait another minute, and repeat until all mussels have opened.
- Leave mussels to cool in bowl until easily removed from shells. Remove half from shells and leave other half intact. Taste a mussel; if it is sandy, give them all a very quick rinse and drain in a colander. Transfer to a bowl and keep covered while you make tomato sauce.
- Place a strainer over another bowl, line with cheesecloth and strain the liquid in the pan into bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup. Rinse and dry pan.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in pan and add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, just until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add tomatoes, thyme or marjoram (or both), and sugar.
- Turn heat up to medium-high and cook, stirring often, 5 to 10 minutes, until tomatoes have cooked down slightly. Add 1/2 cup broth from mussels, stir together and bring to a simmer. Taste and add salt as needed (you may not need to add any). Tip all mussels, shelled and unshelled, into sauce, cover and turn heat to very low or remove from heat if not serving right away. Keep warm while you cook pasta.
- Warm a large bowl for the pasta. When water for pasta comes to a rolling boil, salt generously and add pasta. Cook al dente, following the directions on the package. Drain and toss in the warm bowl with tomato sauce, mussels and parsley. Serve right away.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 626, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 80 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 40 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 1095 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams
PASTA WITH TOMATOES, CAPERS, OLIVES AND BREADCRUMBS
Bread crumbs, crisped in olive oil with garlic, make a flavorful addition to just about any pasta. Make your own bread crumbs if you've got bread that's drying out, and keep them in the freezer.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, weekday, main course
Time 30m
Yield Serves four
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Begin heating a large pot of water for the pasta. Meanwhile, combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the sliced garlic over medium-low heat in a medium saucepan or skillet. Cook, stirring often, until the garlic turns golden, about two minutes. Do not let it take on any more color than this. Remove the garlic slices with a slotted spoon and discard, then add the bread crumbs to the pan. Turn the heat to medium, and cook, stirring, until the bread crumbs are crisp. Remove from the heat, and set aside.
- Return the pan to medium heat, and add the remaining olive oil, the red pepper flakes and the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until the garlic smells fragrant, and add the tomatoes, capers and olives. Bring to a simmer, and simmer until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- When the water comes to a boil, salt generously and add the spaghetti. Cook al dente, following the cooking recommendations on the package but checking about a minute before the suggested time. Drain, and toss with the tomato sauce. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and parsley on top, toss again briefly and serve, passing the Parmesan at the table.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 498, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 79 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 14 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 535 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams
Tips:
- Prep the mussels: Before cooking, purge the mussels by soaking them in cold water for 30 minutes. This helps remove any sand or grit. Discard any mussels that don't close when tapped or have broken shells.
- Cook the mussels properly: Mussels cook quickly, so don't overcook them. They are done when the shells have opened, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Overcooking will make them tough and rubbery.
- Use fresh, ripe tomatoes: The quality of the tomatoes you use will greatly impact the flavor of the dish. Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes for the best results.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: When cooking the mussels, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent them from cooking evenly and may cause them to steam instead of sautéing.
- Add the capers at the end: Capers have a strong flavor, so it's best to add them towards the end of cooking. This will prevent them from becoming overpowering.
Conclusion:
Pasta with mussels, tomatoes, and fried capers is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. The combination of briny mussels, sweet tomatoes, and salty capers creates a flavorful and satisfying dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. If you're looking for a new and exciting pasta dish to try, this is a great option. It's simple to make, but the combination of flavors is sure to impress. So next time you're in the mood for pasta, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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