Mussels And Saffron Pilaf Recipes

STEAMED MUSSELS WITH GARLIC SAFFRON SAUCE

Steps:

• Clean 2 pounds (1 kilo) of fresh mussels under cold running water, begin by removing the beard from each mussel and then scrubing them clean, I like to use a butter knife to scrub the mussels, as you clean each mussel add them to a bowl and set aside, finely mince 4 cloves of garlic, finely dice 1/2 of an onion and finely chop a handful of fresh parsley
• Heat a large stock pot with a medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, after 2 minutes add the diced onions and minced garlic and mix with the oil, after 3 minutes add 1/2 cup of white wine, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, pinch in 1/2 teaspoon of saffron threads, lightly season with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, mix it all together, 2 minutes later add the mussels into the stock pot, mix them with the sauce and place a lid on the pan, 5 to 6 minutes later remove the lid and transfer the mussels and sauce to a large shallow bowl (discard any mussels that did not open), garnish with the freshly chopped parsley, enjoy!

STEAMED MUSSELS WITH WINE AND SAFFRON

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 SAFFRON BROTH

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large, heavy bottomed sauce pan over moderate heat, and add 1/2 the onions, salt and pepper. Saute briskly until slightly golden, about 8 to 10 minutes, and add the garlic. Cook and additional minute, then add the white wine and reduce to half. Add thyme, saffron, clam juice or fish stock, and tomato juice and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook over low heat about 10 minutes. Strain and reserve.
• Working in batches or in more than one pan, heat the remaining olive oil over high heat and add the remaining onion. Saute briefly, stirring occasionally, until onions are beginning to color, about 4 minutes. Add mussels to pan, keeping them in 1 layer, and saute 1 to 2 minutes, then add a proportionate amount of broth. Bring to a boil, reduce immediately to a simmer and cook, covered, for 3 to 5 minutes or until all the mussels are opened. Toss in parsley and serve on shallow soup plates with about a cup of broth per serving.

MUSSELS AND SAFFRON PILAF

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the oil, over medium heat; add onions and cook until softened, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and season with salt and pepper.
• Add orzo pasta, increase heat slightly, then brown pasta, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in rice, turmeric, and saffron.
• Add wine and chicken stock, cover skillet, bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer until rice is al dente, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in mussels, peas, and tomatoes; cover and cook until shells open, about 8 to 10 minutes (discard any shells that do not open).
• Serve in shallow bowls, garnished with fresh parsley.

MUSSELS WITH LEEKS & SAFFRON

Steps:

• Wash the mussels in a sink of cold water, removing any little beards and scrubbing any barnacles. Tap each one on the side of the sink - if the mussel doesn't close tightly, discard it (also discard any with broken shells). Put the mussels in a colander (in batches) and rinse really well under cold running water.
• Heat the oil in a large pan (or two pans if you don't have one big enough to fit all the mussels). Sauté the leeks for 8-10 mins until softening, then add the garlic and cook for another few mins. Add the bouquet garni, pour over the sherry and wine, sprinkle over the saffron and bring to just under the boil. Stir to help the saffron flavour the wine.
• Turn the heat down to medium-low, then add the mussels and stir. Cover the pan and allow the mussels to cook until they open (this will take about 4 mins), shaking the pan a few times. Remove the bouquet garni. Add the cream, stir and heat through. Taste for seasoning (mussels are always pretty salty, so you shouldn't need to add anything). Scatter over the parsley, then transfer the mussels to a large, warm serving dish or serve them straight from the pan.

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.

MUSSELS WITH RICE PILAF

Steps:

• If mussels are not clean, scrub them with brush and rinse in several changes of water. Debeard. Discard any mussels that are open if the shells will not close.
• Cook mussels in the wine in a non-aluminum pot for about 5 minutes, until they open. Discard any mussels that do not open. Strain mussel broth. Set aside mussels and keep warm.
• Whisk the tomato paste into the mussel broth and add enough water to make 3 cups of liquid.
• Meanwhile, saute onions in hot olive oil until onions are soft, in a pan large enough to hold all of the ingredients.
• Add the rice and reserved liquid and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until rice is tender. About 5 minutes before the rice is finished, add the pine nuts and currants.
• About one minute before the rice is finished, arrange mussels on top of rice. Sprinkle on parsley.
• To serve, arrange mussels on top of rice.

MUSSELS WITH SAFFRON CREAM

Steps:

• in a heavy pot with a lid heat olive oil.
• add onions, saffron, salt, stirring occasionally until onions are softened, 5-10 minutes.
• add wine and bring to a boil.
• stir in cream, pepper and mussels.
• cook, covered, until mussels start to open, 6-8 minutes.
• discard any unopened mussels, then stir parsley into finished dish.