Mussels In Parchment Recipes

SUNNY'S EASY MUSSELS AND SHRIMP PAELLA POUCHES

Steps:

• For the seafood: Combine the olive oil, paprika, garlic, lemon zest, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a small bowl. Combine the frozen mussels and shrimp (still frozen) in a large bowl and drizzle the mixture over the top. Toss the seafood to evenly coat.
• For the pouches: Lay four 16- to 20-inch-long pieces of nonstick aluminum foil out on a flat surface and top each one with a piece of parchment paper the same size. Divide the ingredients equally amongst each pouch, starting with the onions in the center of each in a 3-by-5-inch rectangle. Top the onions with the tomato halves, a pinch of salt, rice, peas, then seafood. To close, pull the long sides up over the mixture to meet and fold down together leaving some room for steam (about an inch above your pile), then close the short ends and fold upwards for easy opening.
• Set the oven or grill to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the pouches on a baking sheet if using the oven, just in case you have a tiny spill. Bake or place the pouches over the indirect heat and cook for 25 minutes. Remove one and open gently; if the mussels are not open and the shrimp are still a bit underdone, close and continue to cook for 5 more minutes. Remove the pouches, and, when cool enough to handle, open and spritz with lemon and garnish with parsley.

STEAMED MUSSELS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat, melt butter.
• Add the garlic and onion, stirring occasionally until onion is soft and fragrant - about 3 minutes.
• Turn heat up to high, add wine and bring to boil. Simmer 2 minutes until the harsh alcoholic smell is gone.
• Stir in tomatoes, add mussels stir to coat in sauce a bit.
• Cover, lower heat to medium high and cook, shaking pot once or twice.
• The mussels are cooked when they are open - around 6 to 8 minutes.
• Toss through parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper. Be careful with the salt as the mussels are already salty, so taste first.
• Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, and serve with lemon wedgeds on the side so people can use as much as they wish. Serve immediately with crusty bread to mop up the sauce!

MUSSELS IN TOMATO-PARSLEY SAUCE BAKED IN PARCHMENT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut a sheet of parchment paper to measure 15 by 24 inches. Fold in half horizontally, and crease. Make a 1-inch fold on one open side; fold over again. Press firmly to seal. Repeat on opposite side to form a large pocket.
• Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl. Place parchment pocket in a roasting pan. Holding pocket up, pour in mussel mixture. Seal top by making a 1-inch fold. Fold over again; press firmly to seal. Lay pocket flat in pan.
• Bake mussels 20 minutes; all mussels should be open (discard any that remain closed). Serve immediately, opening packet at the table.

STEAMED MUSSELS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Sweat the shallots until translucent and without any color, 1 to 2 minutes, and then add the garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Pour in the wine and bring to a simmer before adding the mussels. Cover tightly with a lid and steam until the mussels open, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the mussels from the pot to avoid over-cooking, and discard any that do not open. Serve alongside the cooking liquid.

MUSSELS IN PARCHMENT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut out six 14 x 14-inch pieces of parchment or foil. Fold parchment in half; cut into half-heart shape. Unfold hearts and place on work surface; brush parchment with oil. Spoon 2 tablespoons tomatoes, 1 tablespoon leek, 1 tablespoon cilantro and 1 teaspoon ginger onto 1 half of each heart. Drizzle 1 tablespoon wine over each. Arrange 6 mussels atop vegetable mixture. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over mussels.
• Fold up parchment packages, sealing edges and using paper clips to fasten, if necessary. Place on baking sheet. Bake packages 10 minutes. Transfer to plates; allow diners to open packages.