Best Darned Mussels You Ever Had Recipes

OVEN-STEAMED MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND WHITE WINE

Steps:

• Set an oven rack in the lowest position and preheat the oven to 500°F.
• Set a large roasting pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds. Do not brown. Add the wine, thyme, and bay leaves and boil until slightly reduced, about 1 minute.
• Stir in the salt and mussels. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil (remember the edges of the pan will be hot) and transfer to the oven. Roast until the majority of the mussels have opened, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven, and place a dishtowel over the handle to remind yourself that it's hot. Discard any unopened mussels. Using a wooden spoon, push the mussels to the edges of the pan. Add the butter to the center and stir until melted. Discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaves and stir in the parsley. Spoon the mussels and wine broth into bowls and serve with bread.
• Note: When a recipe calls for dry white wine, the best options are Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or unoaked Chardonnay. Select a bottle that is inexpensive but still good enough to drink.
• Note: Most markets sell farm-raised mussels, which are easy to clean - in fact, they are usually already scrubbed and debearded. However, it's still a good idea to clean them prior to cooking. Simply put them in a colander and run them under cold running water, using your hands or a scrubbing brush to remove any sand or debris. If beards (the little tuft of fibers the mussel uses to connect to rocks or pilings) are present, cut or scrape them off with a paring knife, or use your fingers to pull them sharply down toward the hinged point of the shells. The mussels should be tightly closed. If you see a mussel that is open, tap it gently against the counter; in a live mussel, this will trigger a reaction to close its shell. If the mussel doesn't slowly close, it has died and should be discarded. Discard any mussels with cracked shells as well.

STEAMED MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND PARSLEY

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.

BEST MUSSELS ON EARTH

Steps:

• In a large soup pot over medium-high heat, add the oil. Add the red pepper flakes and chorizo. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to release the flavors. Stir in the onions and fennel and cook until they caramelize, about additional 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and saffron and allow the saffron to bloom. Stir in the wine and stock and mix well. Add the mussels and stir. Cover the pot and steam until the mussels open, about to 5 minutes. Remove the lid, then add the tomatoes, herbs, lemon juice and salt and pepper, and stir well. Ladle the mussels and broth into large serving bowl and serve with crusty bread.

BEST DARNED MUSSELS YOU EVER HAD

Steps:

• Clean and debeard mussels and throw away any open ones.
• In med. or 2 quart sauce pan: Chop entire bulb of garlic and saute in the margarine and olive oil. about 10 minutes on a med-low flame (do not brown).
• Add salt and pepper, parsley and paprika to the garlic.
• Add chicken stock and lemon juice and simmer. (15-20 minutes).
• Add wine and sugar and simmer on a low flame, while bringing seprate pot of salted water to boil for the linguine.
• While linguine is boiling: transfer the wine sauce to a large stock pot or lobster pot and turn on medium-high flame. Add mussels and cover.
• When linguine is still al dente: Remove from water and drain well and add to the mussels and sauce and cover.
• Turn heat down to a simmer, and toss every few minutes until all the mussels have opened and linguine is tender.
• Serve with Italian bread if you like.

MARINARA-STYLE MUSSELS

Steps:

• Put the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. When it's hot, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the paprika and cook for just a few seconds, then add the flour and some salt and pepper and stir until smooth. Slowly pour in 2 cups water, stirring constantly to form a smooth sauce. Adjust the heat so the mixture bubbles gently; cook until the sauce is thick, about 8 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the parsley.
• Add the mussels and cover the skillet. Cook until all (or nearly all) the mussels are open, about 5 minutes. (Discard any mussels that do not open.) Garnish with the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley and serve immediately.

DRUNKEN MUSSELS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add garlic and let sizzle for about 30 seconds. Season with red pepper flakes and lemon zest, stirring for about 45 seconds.
• Quickly pour in wine into the pan and season with black pepper. Bring sauce to a boil, stir in mussels, and cover immediately. Shake pot and let boil for 1 minute.
• Stir mussels, replace cover, and let boil for 2 more minutes. The shells will begin to open. Stir in parsley, cover pot, and cook until all shells are open, 1 to 3 minutes.
• Serve with grilled bread and lemon wedge.