Berthas Favorite Mussels Recipes

LEMON AND GARLIC STEAMED MUSSELS

Steps:

• 1. PLACE mussels in large skillet without water. Cover and cook over medium heat, removing the mussels to a warm platter as they open. Discard any that do not open.
• 2. REDUCE liquid in the skillet to about 2 or 3 tablespoons. Return mussels to skillet. Sprinkle with olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. Heat for 1 minute.
• 3. SERVE immediately with crusty bread for dunking.

BROILED MUSSELS

Steps:

• Wash and scrape the mussels thoroughly under cold running water and remove the beards. Put the mussels in a pan, without any water, and heat until the shells open. (Any that remain unopened must be discarded.) Discard the empty shells, and loosen the mussels from the other shells. Arrange the mussels, in the bottom shell halves, in a cooking tray. Mix together the bread crumbs, parsley, garlic, chives, olive oil, salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture over each mussel and leave for about half an hour before cooking.
• Put the mussels under a preheated broiler for just a few minutes to brown the crumb mixture and form a crust over the mussels. Try not to overcook.

HERB AND LEMON BUTTER MUSSELS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil and vegetable oil in a large saute pan on medium heat. When the pan is hot, add a pinch of salt along with the onions and garlic. Sweat until they are a tad past translucent and are just starting to acquire color. Before the garlic starts to brown, add the tomatoes, scallions and basil. Saute so that the flavors blend together, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes more.
• Add the mussels to the pan. Next, add the lemon juice and then the Chardonnay to deglaze the pan, and then quickly cover with a lid to steam the mussels. Note: Do not open for at least 1 1/2 to 2 minutes so the mussels can steam.
• Then, lift the lid and add the parsley (checking to make sure that there is enough moisture in the bottom of the pan to continue to steam the mussels). If everything is going properly, the mussels will have almost fully opened and there will be plenty of liquid still in the bottom of the pan to finish steaming the mussels. In that case, quickly cover the pan for another minute and a half. If the wine has evaporated and the mussels have not opened, add a small additional amount of wine, about a half cup more, and then re-cover the pan to cook out the additional raw alcohol taste and allow the mussels to fully open.
• Once 3 to 4 minutes total have passed since the beginning of the cooking process, all of the mussels should have opened and their natural juices should have leaked out into the bottom of the pan, combining with the fresh herbs and vegetables to create a simmering broth. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the butter until melted.
• Plate the mussels in a bowl and pour the sauce on top. Serve with your favorite toasted bread.

SAUTEED MUSSELS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add leeks, shallots, garlic, mussels, white wine, and lemon and saute over until the mussels open. Season with salt and pepper, and then add butter and tomatoes. Continue cooking until the butter is melted, carefully tossing to combine. Sprinkle with thyme and parsley, adding more, to taste, if desired. Serve immediately.