Sunday 9 March 2008

MUSSELS RECIPES

I love mussels and they are so cheap. ($6.90 / kg at Angelakis in the central market).
1 kg mussels in shells serves 2 - 3 people. To serve more I buy some mussel meat, rather than more in shells or you get too big a volume to cook in a pan.

THAI RED CURRY MUSSELS

2 Tbl peanut oil
1 stalk lemongrass, crushed
1 Tbl Thai red curry paste
1/2 cup white wine
1 can coconut milk
2 Tbl fish sauce
2 Tbl fresh lime juice
2 Tbl chopped corinader stems
1 kg mussels, de-bearded

2Tbl chopped coriander leaves
4 Tbl chopped Thai basil leaves/ Vietnamese mint leaves / laksa herb leaves

Into a large pan put the first 8 ingredients and bring to a boil. Stir to combine. Add mussels, cover, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook 5 minutes or until all the shells are open. Add the herbs to the liquid and cover for 1 minute more. Serve on rice or (I prefer) organic buckwheat noodles, so it is almost like a soup.

ITALIAN MUSSELS WITH PASTA

1/2 jar tasty pasta sauce (bought is fine!)
3/4 cup white wine
chilli powder or fresh to taste
1 kg mussels, de-bearded
spaghetti / fettuccine
olive oil
1/2 cup chopped parsley / other suitable herb

Cook pasta, drain, tossin the oil and parsley.
Meanwhile, place pasta sauce, white wine and chilli in a large pan and bring to the boil.
Add mussels, cover and simmer 5 minutes or until shells are all open.
Serve pasta, top with mussels and liquid. Don't forget to wear a red shirt while eating!

ENGLISH MUSSELS IN CREAM SAUCE

1 kg mussels
2Tbl butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 small stalk of celery, chopped
pepper
2/3 cup white wine
1/3 cup cream
1/3 cup yoghurt
chopped parsley

Melt butter in a large pan. Add onion, celery, pepper, wine and mussels. Cover and simmer 5 minutes until the shells are open. Remove mussels from the pan and reduce liqid to 1/2 cup.
Remove from heat and stir in cream, yoghurt and parsley. May reheat gently but do not boil.
Serve with rice or other.