Thai Basil Mussels Recipes

THAI STEAMED MUSSELS

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, combine the lime juice, coconut milk, wine, curry paste, garlic, fish sauce and sugar. Stir to dissolve sugar and curry paste and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 2 minutes then add mussels. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until mussels are opened, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and discard any unopened mussels. Pour mussels and liquid into a serving dish and toss with cilantro.

THAI RED CURRY MUSSELS

Steps:

• Heat grill to high. Heat the oil in a heavy Dutch oven on the grates of the grill until shimmering. Add the lemongrass, curry paste, wine, coconut milk, fish sauce, and lime juice and bring to a simmer, whisking. Add the mussels, cover the pot, and let steam until opened. During the last minute of cooking, add the cilantro and basil. Serve from Dutch oven into individual bowls, discarding the lemongrass.

MUSSELS WITH BASIL CREAM

Steps:

• Cook onion and garlic in butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add wine and mussels and cook, covered, over moderately high heat until mussels just open wide, 6 to 8 minutes. (Discard any mussels that have not opened after 8 minutes.) Transfer mussels with a slotted spoon to a serving bowl, then transfer cooking liquid to a blender along with cream, basil, and pepper and blend until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Season sauce with salt and pour over mussels.

MUSSELS WITH CHILI, GARLIC AND BASIL

Steps:

• Make a paste from the chilies, garlic and coriander using a mortar or small food processor.
• Stir fry this paste in a wok or frying pan with the oil for about one minute, use a pan you have a lid for and large enough to hold the mussels.
• Add the oyster and fish sauce, stir and then add the stock and the mussels.
• Cover and cook on a medium heat, or until the mussels have opened and are cooked.
• Taste the sauce or it needs extra fish sauce or water.
• Stir in the basil, arrange the mussels on a dish, discard any mussel that has not opened and pour the sauce over them.