Indulge in the delectable aromas and flavors of steamed mussels, a classic seafood dish that combines the essence of the sea with aromatic herbs, zesty citrus, and a touch of saffron. These tender morsels, enveloped in a luscious broth, offer a symphony of flavors that tantalize the taste buds. With three distinct recipes to choose from, this article presents a culinary journey that caters to diverse preferences. Explore the traditional Steamed Mussels with Wine and Saffron, where white wine, garlic, shallots, and a hint of saffron create a harmonious balance of flavors. For a spicy kick, venture into the realm of Steamed Mussels with Spicy Tomato Broth, where crushed tomatoes, chili peppers, and paprika ignite the palate with a fiery zest. And for those seeking a taste of the Orient, embark on a voyage with the Steamed Mussels with Lemongrass and Ginger, where lemongrass, ginger, and coconut milk intertwine to create an exotic symphony of flavors. Whichever recipe you choose, prepare to be captivated by the succulent mussels, the aromatic broth, and the culinary artistry that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
STEAMED MUSSELS WITH WINE AND SAFFRON
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Seafood Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Holding mussels under cool running water, scrub with a stiff sponge or vegetable brush, then debeard: grip the tough fibers extending from the shell and pull to remove. Discard beards.
- Steep saffron in wine for 10 minutes. (Saffron is soluble in water, not fat, so it won't release its color or flavor if added directly to the butter.) Meanwhile, melt butter over medium-high heat in a shallow stockpot. Once it's foamy, add shallots, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until shallots are transparent and garlic is soft, about 3 minutes, stirring every so often to keep garlic from scorching. Pour in wine and saffron, then add tomatoes and return to a simmer, stirring once or twice.
- Add mussels and cover tightly. Cook until all mussels open, about 6 minutes, stirring once about halfway through. Discard any unopened mussels. If using wild mussels, strain broth through a cheesecloth-lined sieve to remove any sand, if necessary. Taste the broth and season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle with parsley before ladling mussels and broth into bowls.
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.
MUSSELS IN SAFFRON AND WHITE WINE BROTH
Categories Milk/Cream Quick & Easy Dinner Mussel Saffron White Wine Fat Free Sugar Conscious Kidney Friendly Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Melt the butter in a large pot, then add the garlic. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the wine, half and half, and saffron; simmer for 5 minutes. Add the clam juice, scallions, tomato, and lemon juice, scallions, tomato, and lemon juice; simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the mussels, cover, and stream until they are open, about 5-7 minutes. Shake the pot, holding down the lid with a kitchen towel, to redistribute the mussels. Discard any mussels that do not open. Divide the mussels into eight bowls; distribute the broth equally among the bowls, and top each with fresh chives.
STEAMED MUSSELS WITH WINE AND SAFFRON
Steps:
- Clean and debeard mussels Holding mussels under cool running water, scrub with a stiff sponge (or vegetable brush); then debeard: Grip the tough fibers extending from shell and pull to remove (discard beards).
- Prepare cooking liquid Steep the saffron in the wine for 10 minutes. (Saffron is soluble in water, not fat, so it won't release its color or flavor if added directly to the butter.) Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium-high heat in a shallow stockpot. Once it's foamy, add the shallots, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until shallots are transparent and garlic is soft, about 3 minutes, stirring every so often to keep the garlic from scorching. Pour in the wine and saffron, then add the tomatoes and return to a simmer, stirring once or twice.
- Steam mussels Add the mussels and cover tightly. Cook until all the mussels open, about 6 minutes, stirring once about halfway through. Discard any unopened mussels. (If using wild mussels, strain broth through a cheeseclothlined sieve to remove any sand, if necessary.) Taste the broth and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve Sprinkle with parsley before ladling the mussels and broth into bowls.
- Ingredients
- Wild mussels will have a more pronounced taste than farmed mussels, but can be more challenging to clean (they are worth the extra effort). When buying, avoid those with cracked shells or a strong odor. It's best to buy mussels the day you plan to cook them; store on a damp cloth in the refrigerator, in a covered container.
STEAMED MUSSELS IN SAFFRON BROTH
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a heavy, three-quart saucepan. Add the onion, fennel and garlic, cover and sweat over low heat until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Add the saffron, tomato puree, wine, stock, thyme and bay leaves. Simmer uncovered for one hour. Strain.
- Just before serving, reheat the tomato mixture to a simmer. Add the mussels, cover and steam until the mussels open, about 10 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, divide the mussels among four soup plates. Season the broth to taste with pepper flakes and pour over the mussels. Serve at once with saffron-aioli toasts.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 353, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 20 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 34 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 1051 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams
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
Tips:
- Choose fresh mussels: Look for mussels with tightly closed shells. Avoid any mussels with open shells or cracked shells.
- Clean the mussels thoroughly: Use a stiff brush to scrub the mussels under cold running water. Remove any barnacles or seaweed from the shells.
- Use a large pot: Mussels will expand as they cook, so be sure to use a pot that is large enough to hold them all comfortably.
- Use a flavorful liquid: The liquid that you use to steam the mussels will add flavor to the dish. Try using white wine, chicken broth, or vegetable broth.
- Add aromatics: Aromatics such as garlic, shallots, and celery will add flavor to the dish. You can also add herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves.
- Cook the mussels until they are just cooked through: Overcooked mussels will be tough and rubbery. Mussels are cooked through when they open their shells.
- Serve the mussels immediately: Mussels are best served immediately after they are cooked. You can serve them with a dipping sauce such as melted butter or garlic butter.
Conclusion:
Steamed mussels are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick and easy meal. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal that is sure to impress your friends and family. So next time you're looking for a seafood dish that is both delicious and easy to make, give steamed mussels a try.
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