Midya Boreg Mussel Pie Recipes

CURRIED MUSSEL PIE

Steps:

• FOR THE PIE FILLING:.
• Steam the mussels in 3/4 cup of water and reserve the broth. Remove the mussels from their shells and keep ready.
• Strain the broth of all grit (a fine strainer or cheesecloth should be used) and reheat.
• Boil the onions, potatoes, thyme and parsley together in the water until the potatoes are tender.
• Add the curry powder, worcestershire sauce, gravy browning, and mussels and bring to a boil.
• Thicken with cornstarch mixed with cold water, added while the mixture is boiling.
• If it's not thick enough, repeat with more cornstarch and water.
• Allow the filling to cool before proceeding.
• FOR THE PASTRY:.
• Stir together the flour and the salt.
• Cut the shortening into the flour until it resembles small peas.
• Sprinkle with a little water and toss to moisten the dough. Work the dough as little as possible, using as few strokes as you can to get it all combined into a ball.
• Flatten slightly and wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for atleast an hour or for up to 4 days in the fridge. (a month in the freezer).
• Let dough soften at room temperature before rolling out.
• Use the inverted pie pan or ramekin to measure the circle of dough needed.
• Fill pans or ramekins, cut and fit dough to top of pie.
• Bake until golden brown and bubbly within.
• (Please note that the cooking time I have added is merely an estimate, as is the amount of pie.).

MIDYA BOREG (MUSSEL PIE)

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy saucepan. Add onions and saute until wilted.
• Stir in rice, currants, spices and salt to taste. Pour in water, stir, and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover saucepan, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. If liquid evaporates before rice is cooked, add a little more.
• Stir in pine nuts. Set aside.
• Scrub mussels, remove beards and discard any with broken shells. Place mussels in large skillet and set over heat. As soon as they start to open, remove mussels and discard shells. Discard any mussels that do not open. Remove shells over cup or bowl to keep the mussel liquid. Filter the liquid through a double layer of moistened cheesecloth.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spread one-quarter of the rice on the bottom of each of two 10-inch ovenproof dishes. Push some of the rice up around the edge to make a ''shell.''
• Arrange half the mussels on each bed of rice and sprinkle with parsley, dill and lemon juice. Reserve 8 to 10 tablespoons of the rice and spread the rest on top of the mussels. Dribble a few tablespoons of the reserved mussel liquid over the rice.
• Combine 2 tablespoons of the mussel liquid with the yogurt; add the reserved rice and spread half of this mixture evenly over each pie.
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until tops are lightly browned. Serve hot.

SPICED FISH & MUSSEL PIE

Steps:

• Boil the parsnips and potatoes for 15-20 mins until tender. Drain and mash well with 25g/1oz butter and seasoning. Cover and set aside.
• Bring the stock to the boil in a large pan. Tip in the mussels, cover and leave to steam for about 3 mins, or until the shells open. Drain into a colander set over a large bowl to reserve the stock. Remove and throw away the shells and any un-opened mussels. Cover the cooked mussels to stop them drying out.
• Melt the remaining butter and fry the onion until softened. Stir in the curry powder and fl our, and cook for about 1 min. Pour in the coconut milk and 3-4 tbsp of the reserved mussel stock and stir well until you have a smooth sauce. Leave to simmer for 5 mins until thickened.
• Add the cod to the sauce, return to a simmer and cook for 3-4 mins, stirring occasionally, but trying not to break up the cod. Stir in the mussels, prawns and coriander, season, then tip into a large ovenproof dish. Spread the parsnip mash over the top.
• To serve now heat the grill and grill until the mash is golden and crusty. To eat later cool, cover, then chill for a couple of hours. To serve, heat oven to 200C/ fan 180C/gas 6 and bake for 35-40 mins until hot all the way through.

PRAWN & MUSSEL PIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Lay the pastry (a piece about 18cm x 23cm) on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 4 rectangles (see Gary's tip, below). Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 mins until golden and puffy.
• Meanwhile, pour the wine and 450ml/16fl oz water (see Gary's tip below) into a large, deep pan and bring to a boil. Tip in the cleaned mussels and cover with a lid. After a couple of mins, remove the lid and stir the mussels until they open. Any refusing to open should be discarded. Drain the mussels in a colander, saving the juices. Remove the mussels from the shells, keeping some shells if you like, to use when serving the soup.
• Warm the olive oil in the pan, then add the sliced onion, celery, star anise, orange zest, bay leaves, saffron and lemon juice. Cook over a moderate heat without colouring the vegetables, stirring occasionally, until completely tender, 12-15 mins.
• Strain the mussel cooking liquor through a fine sieve over the vegetables, and bring to a simmer. Add the tomatoes, season with a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed chillies and simmer for a few mins to soften the tomatoes. Spoon the mussels and prawns into the soup, stir in your preferred quantity of butter and heat to just below simmering point - you don't want to overcook the fish. Sprinkle in some chopped parsley to finish, and serve in bowls with a pastry lid perched on top of each.