Grandma Tedescos Mussels And Gravy Recipes

MUSSELS IN SPICY RED SAUCE

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.

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.

GRANDMA TEDESCO'S MUSSELS AND GRAVY

Steps:

• In a large (6 quart) pot over medium-high heat, saute garlic in olive oil until garlic is browned on edges, about 2 minutes. Add basil, parsley and mussels. Stir gently for 30 seconds. Add clam juice. Cover pot, and increase heat to high. Steam until mussels open, about 5 minutes.
• Remove mussels to serving plates. Whisk butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, into broth in pot. Boil until sauce is concentrated, about 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon over mussels. Serve immediately.

GRANDMA'S SWEDISH MEATBALLS AND GRAVY

Steps:

• Mix milk, bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon cream, egg, garlic, salt, black pepper, white pepper, and allspice together in a large bowl. Set aside to soak until bread crumbs have absorbed the milk, at least 10 minutes.
• Mix in beef, pork, onion, and parsley, using your hands to mix until well combined. Roll into about 24 small meatballs or 16 larger meatballs.
• Heat butter and oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry meatballs in small batches until cooked through and browned on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Transfer to a warm plate and cover with foil.
• Add butter for gravy sauce to the pan juices. Melt over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Cook and whisk until flour dissolves and turns brown, about 5 minutes. Pour in vegetable broth, beef broth, cream, soy sauce, and Dijon. Bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper and mix to combine all of the flavors together. Continue to simmer until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add meatballs to the gravy. Toss gently to coat and serve.

GRANDMA'S TURKEY GRAVY

Steps:

• Pour drippings into a 2-cup measuring cup. Skim fat, reserving 1/4 cup. Add enough broth to the drippings to measure 2 cups., Saute shallot in reserved fat in a small saucepan. Stir in the flour, salt, onion powder, poultry seasoning and pepper until blended; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until browned (do not burn). Gradually add broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.