Brothy Mussel Soup Recipes

MUSSEL SOUP

Steps:

• Put the mussels, wine and shallots in a saucepan and turn the heat to high. Cover and cook, shaking occasionally, just until the mussels open, about 5 minutes.
• Remove the mussels with a slotted spoon and strain the broth; set aside.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and crumble the saffron into the saucepan. Pour in the reserved mussel broth, cayenne and enough water to make 5 cups of soup.
• Add the cream, if you are using it. Bring to just a boil, then turn off the heat and season with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• Arrange mussels in soup bowls and pour the hot broth over them.
• Garnish with basil and chervil if desired.

CREAM OF MUSSEL SOUP

Steps:

• Tap mussels; discard any that do not close. Set aside. In a stockpot, combine the onions, celery, water, wine or broth, clam juice, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper. , Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; add mussels. Cover and simmer until mussels have opened, 5-6 minutes. Remove mussels with a slotted spoon, discarding any unopened mussels; set aside opened mussels and keep warm., Cool cooking liquid slightly. In a blender, cover and process cooking liquid in batches until blended. Return all to pan. Add cream and reserved mussels; heat through (do not boil).

BROTHY MUSSELS WITH OVEN FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees, with a rimmed baking sheet on center rack. In a pot, cover potatoes with 2 inches of water; season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain; let stand until dry, 10 minutes. Toss with 3 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Carefully transfer, cut-side down, to baking sheet and roast, flipping once, until crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Season with salt.
• Meanwhile, return pot to medium-high heat; swirl in 1 tablespoon butter and remaining oil. Add garlic; cook until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and wine; season with salt and pepper. Simmer until reduced slightly, 3 minutes. Stir in mussels, cover, and cook until all have opened (discard any that haven't), 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer mussels to a bowl with a slotted spoon; stir remaining butter into broth. Pour sauce over mussels and sprinkle with parsley. Serve with oven fries and mayonnaise.

BROTHY MUSSEL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in large saucepan.
• Add chopped onion, and garlic and cook until clear.
• Add parsley and chilli and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Increase heat and add lemon juice, wine and water and bring to the boil.
• Add tomatoes.
• Bring to boil.
• Add cleaned mussels and cook covered over a moderate heat for about 5 minutes.
• Discard any mussels that have not opened.
• Remove the top shell from each mussel.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

MUSSEL SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a medium pot, combine the mussels, wine, water, lemon juice, bay leaf, and crab boil, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer until the mussels have opened, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and discard any unopened mussels. Strain the cooking liquid through a strainer lined with cheesecloth into a clean container. Remove the mussels from the shells and set aside. Discard the shells.
• In a large pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until just golden and starting to crisp, about 3 minutes. Add the onions and leeks, and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, salt, and cayenne, and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the bay leaves and thyme, and stir well. Add the strained mussel cooking liquid, the potatoes, milk, and cream and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 12 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Add the cooked mussels and simmer until warmed through. Remove from the heat and adjust the seasoning, to taste.
• Meanwhile, place the bread slices on a baking sheet and rub on both sides with the garlic cloves. Bake until light golden brown, turning once, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Ladle into soup bowls, garnish with the parsley, and serve with the garlic croutons.

MUSSELS IN LIME-COCONUT BROTH

Steps:

• Heat butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garam masala, turmeric, bay leaves, and chile pepper and cook until fragrant, about 3 minutes more.
• Add ginger and tomato paste to the saucepan and cook until browned, about 2 minutes. Pour in coconut milk and lime juice. Mix in sugar and black pepper; stir well. Bring to a simmer, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt.
• Add mussels to the saucepan and simmer until all shells open, about 5 minutes. Discard any shells that do not open. Place in a bowl and sprinkle with cilantro.

COLD CREAM OF MUSSEL SOUP WITH SAFFRON

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots, onions and garlic. Stir for about two minutes. Add the flour and saffron. Blend with a wire whisk and cook for one minute. Blend in the white wine and Tabasco sauce, then add the mussels and parsley. Blend well. Cover and cook until the mussels have opened, about five minutes.
• Add the cream and half-and-half and bring just to a boil. Strain through a fine sieve.
• Remove the mussels from the shells and discard the shells. Add the mussels to the strained soup and chill in the refrigerator.
• When ready to serve, add the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve in chilled soup bowls or cups with chervil or parsley sprinkled on top.