Spanish Inspired Mussels Recipes

Steps:

• Clean the mussels. Inspect each one carefully and discard any that have opened (if some are partly open, tap them with your finger and if they close back up they are O.K.) or have cracked shells. Place in a large bowl, fill the bowl with cold water and rinse several times, swishing the mussels around in the water, pouring out the water and refilling. Clean the shells, if necessary, with a brush or the end of one of the mussels, and pull out the beards - the hairy attachments emerging from the shells. Do not do this until just before cooking, or the mussels will die and spoil.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large Dutch oven, soup pot or lidded frying pan and add the hazelnuts and almonds. Cook, stirring, until the nuts are golden brown and smell toasty, and add half the garlic. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, taking care not to let it color and burn, about 30 to 60 seconds. Remove from the heat and transfer to a mortar and pestle or a mini food processor. Allow to cool, then mash or pulse until the mixture is just short of pasty; the nuts should retain some finely chopped texture. Work in 1 tablespoon of the parsley and set aside.
• Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until it is tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt, the remaining garlic and the chili and cook, stirring, for another minute, until the garlic is translucent. Add the tomatoes, a pinch of sugar and salt and pepper to taste, and turn the heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 20 to 30 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture has cooked down and is very fragrant.
• Add the white wine and saffron and bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover and steam 4 to 5 minutes, until they open. Stir the mussels halfway through to make sure they are evenly exposed to the heat. As they open, remove to a bowl with tongs. Discard any that have not opened. Keep warm.
• Stir the nut and garlic mixture and the remaining parsley into the tomato sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning. Distribute the mussels among 4 wide soup bowls and spoon the sauce over. Serve with bread for sopping up the sauce.
• To skin hazelnuts, toast in a 300-degree oven for 20 minutes, until they begin to smell toasty. Remove from the heat and wrap in a clean dish towel. Rub the nuts in the towel and the skins will slip off. Turn the oven up to 350 degrees and roast for another 5 to 10 minutes, until light brown and toasty.

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven on medium heat. Add ham, onions and garlic; cook 5 min., until lightly browned and tender.
• Add broth; bring to boil. Stir in mussels; cover. Cook 4 to 5 min. or until all mussels have opened. (Discard any unopened mussels.)
• Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream and parsley; mix well. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Put it all in a large pot. Cover, bring to the boil and simmer for a few minutes until all the mussels are open.

Steps:

• Discard any broken-shell or open (dead) mussels that do not close when tapped. Scrub remaining mussels, removing any barnacles with a dull paring knife. Remove beards by tugging them away from shells.
• Place mussels in large container. Cover with cool water. Agitate water with hand, then drain and discard water. Repeat several times until water runs clear; drain.
• Heat gas or charcoal grill. In tightly covered container, shake remaining ingredients. Cover; refrigerate until serving.
• Place mussels on grill over medium-high heat. Cover grill; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until mussels open, removing mussels as they open. Discard any unopened mussels. Place mussels on serving platter; drizzle with oil mixture.