Mussels, these delightful bivalves, are culinary treasures that have been savored for centuries. Their delicate briny flavor and meaty texture make them a versatile ingredient, perfect for a variety of cooking methods. Whether you prefer the classic steamed mussels with white wine and garlic, or a more adventurous Thai-inspired coconut curry broth, there's a mussel recipe out there to tantalize your taste buds.
This article presents a curated collection of mussel sauce recipes, each offering a unique twist on this seafood delicacy. From the classic French marinière sauce, featuring a combination of white wine, shallots, and butter, to a spicy and flavorful arrabiata sauce with tomatoes, chili peppers, and fresh herbs, these sauces are sure to elevate your mussel dishes to new heights.
For those who enjoy creamy and indulgent sauces, the creamy garlic sauce and the luscious saffron cream sauce are must-tries. The creamy garlic sauce combines the richness of cream with the aromatic flavors of garlic and herbs, while the saffron cream sauce adds a touch of elegance and sophistication with its vibrant color and delicate floral notes.
If you're looking for a lighter and more refreshing option, the lemon-herb sauce and the white wine sauce are excellent choices. The lemon-herb sauce offers a bright and zesty flavor profile with its combination of lemon juice, fresh herbs, and white wine, while the white wine sauce provides a clean and subtle flavor that allows the natural taste of the mussels to shine through.
No matter your preference, this article has a mussel sauce recipe that will satisfy your cravings. So gather your ingredients, fire up the stove, and embark on a culinary journey that will transport you to the shores of the sea, where the briny aroma of mussels and the symphony of flavors in these sauces create a truly unforgettable dining experience.
MUSSELS IN SPICY RED SAUCE
I love this dish, which is often called "Mussels Fra Diavolo", because my Italian Grandmother made it often, especially around the holidays. The lusty combination of mussels and spicy red sauce is irresistible. It's Italian-American comfort food. Forget about serving this with pasta, you absolutely must have a loaf of crusty, chewy Italian or French bread to dip in the sauce. Make sure to put an empty bowl on the table to accommodate the shells. For equipment you will need a large (10 to 12 inch) high sided saute pan (sauteuse) or a 6 to 6 quart pot with a tight fitting lid, a large spoon, and a Chinese wire mesh skimmer or slotted spoon. Red Sauce: I know my red sauce. My credentials: I grew up at the Jersey Shore, I had an Italian grandmother and I worked as a cook at Marenzi Restaurant in North Beach, San Francisco, back in the 1970's. This recipe is one for you to keep. My Napolitano red sauce is a great building block to making all sorts of dishes. It can be used to for a quick pasta dinner or for simmering fresh squash and/or bell peppers and onion. You can also use this red sauce as a base to make a "fra diavolo" with mussels, lobster or other sea food, even with leftovers and serve with rice or pasta. The most important concept in making this sauce is to really brown (caramelize) the onions and carrots, creating a natural sweetness that balances with the acidic tomatoes. For equipment you will need a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, and a wooden spoon.
Provided by Food Network
Categories appetizer
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper, and saute until fragrant, stirring, about 30 seconds. Add the white wine and tomato sauce, increase the heat to high, cover and bring to a boil.
- Add the mussels and replace the lid. Cook over high heat 3 minutes. Remove the lid and stir once gently. Continue to cook until the mussels are completely open and firmly cooked, about 4 minutes more.
- Remove the pot from the heat and transfer the mussels gently from the pot to a large bowl with a Chinese wire mesh skimmer. Return the pot to the heat and increase the heat to high. Boil for a minute or 2, until the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon. Pour the sauce over the mussels and serve immediately.
- Place the canned tomatoes in a large bowl and place your (clean) hands in the bowl and crush the tomatoes so they breakup into a range of small pieces.
- In a 5-quart Dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium heat until it is fragrant, but before it smokes, about 40 seconds. Add the bay leaves and stir them in the oil until they begin to brown, about 10 seconds. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until it starts to turn golden brown, then add the onions, carrots, and oregano. Cook the vegetables until they are very brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally, just enough to prevent them from scorching.
- Add the crushed tomatoes with their juice, the tomato paste, salt and pepper, and 1 1/2 cups of water, (white wine or clam juice can be added depending on the intended use) and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, and simmer, partially covered until the sauce level has reduced by 2 or 3 inches and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Cook the sauce for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick.
- Remove from heat, cool down in the pot, then when at room temperature, transfer to a sealed plastic container and refrigerate until ready to use.
- This sauce will keep 10 days in a well-sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Using my recipe for basic Red Sauce, you can make a quick and spicy "fra diavolo" sauce that is delicious drizzled over grilled squid and other seafood. For equipment you will need a 3-quart saucepan and a wooden spoon.
- Heat the olive oil in a 3-quart saucepan slightly over medium heat and saute the garlic and crushed red pepper until the garlic is fragrant and beginning to brown, about 40 seconds.
- Add the Red Sauce, clam juice, and salt, to taste, and simmer, stirring occasionally over medium-low heat, until the sauce returns to the thickness and quantity of the Red Sauce, about 15 minutes.
MUSSELS IN LEMON GARLIC-BUTTER SAUCE
Mussels in Lemon Garlic-Butter Sauce makes the perfect appetizer before the main dinner dish and is an elegant dish for entertaining
Provided by Linda Nortje
Categories Appetizers / Snacks
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Melt the Butter in a large skillet (with a lid) - saute the Onion, Garlic and Chili Flakes until soft
- Add the White Wine and simmer until reduced by two thirds - add the Cream and simmer 2 - 3 minutes
- Add the Mussels and cover the skillet - over low heat, steam the Mussels until cooked - about 8 - 10 minutes
- Remove from heat - season to taste with Salt and Black Pepper - stir through the Lemon Juice, finely grated Zest and Parsley
Nutrition Facts : Calories 372 calories, Carbohydrate 12 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 94 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 28 grams fat, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 8 grams protein, SaturatedFat 18 grams saturated fat, Sodium 294 grams sodium, Sugar 3 grams sugar, TransFat 1 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams unsaturated fat
MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE
Simmer Ina Garten's recipe for Mussels in White Wine on the stovetop with garlic, saffron and plum tomatoes for an easy yet elegant meal.
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories main-dish
Time 1h
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- To clean the mussels, put them in a large bowl with 2 quarts of water and the flour and soak for 30 minutes, or until the mussels disgorge any sand. Drain the mussels, then remove the "beard" from each with your fingers. If they're dirty, scrub the mussels with a brush under running water. Discard any mussels whose shells aren't tightly shut.
- In a large non-aluminum stockpot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 5 minutes; then add the garlic and cook for 3 more minutes, or until the shallots are translucent. Add the tomatoes, saffron, parsley, thyme, wine, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Add the mussels, stir well, then cover the pot, and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until all the mussels are opened (discard any that do not open). With the lid on, shake the pot once or twice to be sure the mussels don't burn on the bottom. Pour the mussels and the sauce into a large bowl and serve hot.
CLASSIC FRENCH MUSSELS
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the mussels, wine, cream, butter, and parsley and season well with salt. Give it a good stir, cover the pot, and cook until mussels open and are cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes. Divide the mussels and the juices between 2 bowls and serve with the crusty bread.
ROASTED HALIBUT WITH MUSSEL BUTTER SAUCE
This is a stunning seafood main course that needs only a side dish, such as braised fennel or orzo salad, and some crusty bread served alongside for a delicious dinner party. Halibut is a mild yet buttery and rich fish with firm, meaty flesh. Here, the fish is wrapped in seaweed, which imparts subtle sea flavor and keeps the fish tender and juicy while it roasts. Mussels are steamed open in a bath of clam juice and kelp broth, releasing their flavorful juices into the liquid, which becomes a silky sauce. Earthy saffron adds depth and beautiful color, and just enough butter and cream round out the sauce without making it too heavy. For a festive presentation, top the fish with vibrant salmon roe, which look like jewels and offer pops of brininess.
Provided by Kay Chun
Categories seafood, main course
Time 35m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, combine kelp with 4 cups of cool water and let stand until softened, about 5 minutes. Reserve 2 cups of the kelp water.
- On a lightly greased rimmed sheet pan, arrange half of the softened kelp in the center, allowing excess water to drip off kelp and slightly overlapping the pieces. (Do not squeeze water out of the kelp). Rub halibut with 2 tablespoons of oil and season with salt. Set halibut in the center of the kelp and lift kelp over the sides of the fish. It should stick to the fish. Top halibut with the remaining kelp, slightly overlapping, and tuck the kelp loosely underneath the fish to enclose it.
- Roast halibut until just opaque in the center, about 15 minutes. A metal cake tester or skewer inserted in the center of the fish should feel warm to the touch. Transfer wrapped halibut to a serving platter.
- Meanwhile, in a large pot, combine clam juice and the reserved kelp water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add mussels, cover and cook until mussels open, 2 to 3 minutes; begin checking mussels at 2 minutes and transfer them to a bowl as they open (discard any that do not open). Tent with foil to keep warm. Pour mussel broth into a separate bowl, leaving behind any grit in the pot, and reserve the broth. Rinse out pot to remove any grit.
- Combine 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice with the saffron in a small bowl and mix well. In the rinsed pot, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add reserved mussel broth (and any juice that has drained from the mussels) and saffron-lemon juice, and bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently to allow flavors to meld, about 5 minutes. Discard garlic.
- While whisking constantly, add butter 1 tablespoon at a time, blending in each addition before adding the next. Then, whisk in heavy cream. Gently simmer until sauce is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes longer. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice, parsley and tarragon, and season with salt. You should have about 2 cups of sauce.
- Remove the top layer of kelp to reveal halibut. You can serve the kelp to eat with the fish or discard it. Arrange mussels around halibut, removing the top shells for easier eating if you'd like. Spoon some sauce over the mussels and fish, and garnish with parsley and tarragon.
- To serve, divide the fish and mussels among plates. Garnish with more parsley and tarragon. Serve with the remaining sauce on the side.
MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE AND GARLIC
Make and share this Mussels in White Wine and Garlic recipe from Food.com.
Provided by kyle martin
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 25m
Yield 4 bowls, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Rinse and scrub mussels under cold water.
- Using your fingers or paring knife, remove beards (strings that hang from the mussel shells), and discard.
- In a large stockpot set over medium heat, combine wine, shallots, garlic, and salt.
- Simmer 5 minutes.
- Add mussels, cover, and increase heat to high.
- Cook until all mussels are open, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in herbs and butter.
- Remove from heat.
- Divide mussels and broth among four bowls.
- Serve immediately.
Tips for Cooking Delicious Sauce for Mussels
1. Mise en Place:- Organize and measure all ingredients before starting to cook.
- Ensure mussels are scrubbed and debearded.
- Prepare vegetables (e.g., shallots, garlic, celery) by chopping or mincing.
- Opt for fresh, plump mussels for the best flavor.
- Use good quality white wine for a rich, complex taste.
- Select fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or basil for aromatic depth.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat and sauté aromatics until fragrant.
- Add white wine and bring to a simmer before adding mussels.
- Cover the pot and cook mussels until they open, shaking the pot occasionally.
- Mussels cook quickly, so avoid overcooking to prevent tough texture.
- Cook mussels just until they open; overcooked mussels become rubbery.
- Enhance the sauce with flavorful ingredients like shallots, garlic, celery, and leeks.
- Incorporate herbs like parsley, thyme, and basil for a fragrant touch.
- Consider adding cream, butter, or crème fraîche for a richer sauce.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- A squeeze of lemon juice can balance the flavors and add brightness.
Conclusion:
Cooking a delectable sauce for mussels requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Following these tips and techniques will help you create a flavorful, aromatic sauce that perfectly complements the delicate taste of mussels. Whether you prefer a classic white wine sauce, a creamy sauce, or a spicy sauce, experimenting with various ingredients and flavors will allow you to create a sauce that suits your taste preferences and elevates your mussel dish to a culinary masterpiece.
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