Thai Mussels Recipes

THAI-STYLE MUSSELS

Steps:

• Wash the mussels thoroughly, discarding any that aren't tightly closed.
• Trim and finely slice the spring onions, peel and finely slice the garlic. Pick and set aside the coriander leaves, then finely chop the stalks. Cut the lemongrass into 4 pieces, then finely slice the chilli.
• In a wide saucepan, heat a little groundnut oil and soften the spring onion, garlic, coriander stalks, lemongrass and most of the red chilli for around 5 minutes.
• Add the coconut milk and fish sauce and bring to the boil, then add the mussels and cover the pan.
• Steam the mussels for 5 minutes, or until they've all opened and are cooked. Discard any unopened mussels.
• Finish with a squeeze of lime juice, then sprinkle with coriander leaves and the remaining chilli to serve.

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.

THAI-FLAVORED MUSSELS

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups of water to the boil. Put the stock, shallot, garlic, lime leaves, and ginger in a saucepan, cover and let it bubble away at a moderate to high heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until you have a thickish, softish mess at the bottom of the pan. Check to make sure it isn't either burning or just getting too dry for comfort, and add a bit of boiling water if it is. Meanwhile, put the mussels in a sink filled with ice-cold water. Chuck away any that don't sink and then, as you remove them, make doubly sure by chucking away any that don't shut when you tap then sharply. I wouldn't expect you to have to throw many away, so don't worry unduly.
• Add the chile pepper to the mixture in the pan. After about 30 seconds, or just long enough to get them out of the sink, add the mussels and then throw over them 1/2 cup boiling water, and then the lime juice, mirin, and fish sauce mixed together. Cover, give the pan a shake, and leave on a high heat for about 3 minutes, by which time the mussels should have steamed open. Add half the coriander, shake again, and pour into a noodle bowl. Sprinkle over the remaining coriander and eat.

THAI MUSSELS & PRAWNS

Steps:

• Blitz half the red chilli, the coriander stalks, garlic, ginger and coconut milk in a blender.
• Pour the coconut milk mixture into a saucepan, add the lemongrass and cook over a medium heat for 5 mins. Turn up the heat, add the prawns and mussels, then cover and cook for 4 mins - the prawns should be pink and the mussel shells should be open (discard any that have not opened). Remove the lemongrass and discard.
• Divide the shellfish and broth between two serving bowls and squeeze over some lime. Chop the coriander leaves and sprinkle over the top along with the rest of the chilli. Serve with slices of crusty bread to soak up the broth.

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.

SPICY THAI STEAMED MUSSELS

Steps:

• Scrub mussels well and remove beards. Squeeze enough juice from limes to measure 1/3 cup. In an 8-quart kettle boil lime juice, coconut milk, wine, curry paste, garlic, fish sauce, and sugar over high heat, stirring, 2 minutes. Add mussels, tossing to combine. Cook mussels, covered, stirring occasionally, until opened, about 5 to 8 minutes. (Discard any unopened mussels.) Chop cilantro and toss with mussels.
• Serve mussels with lime wedges.