Innkeepers Mussel Chowder Recipes

INNKEEPER'S MUSSEL CHOWDER

Steps:

• Scrub mussels in cool water and pull off beards; discard any whose shells don't close when tapped.
• In an 8- to 10-quart pan, combine mussels and wine; bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over medium heat until mussels open, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Pour into a colander set in a large bowl to collect juices.
• Let mussels stand until cool enough to touch.
• Meanwhile, peel potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
• Peel and chop onion. Rinse celery and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• In the pan used for mussels, melt butter over medium heat.
• Add onion and celery; stir often until onion is limp, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Add curry powder and basil; stir until spices become more fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Pour mussel juices from bowl into pan.
• Add tomato sauce, cream, and potatoes.
• Turn heat to high; when mixture is boiling, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors are well blended, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, remove mussels from shells; discard shells.
• Add mussels to soup; cover and simmer just until mussels are hot, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Ladle into bowls.

TOBY'S MUSSEL CHOWDER

Steps:

• Place wine, butter, garlic, and 1 tablespoon basil in a stockpot and brings to a simmer. Add mussels and steam, covered, over high heat, for 8 to 12 minutes. Check to see when shells begin to open, be careful not to overcook. When mussels open, remove them from the heat, and drain, reserving liquid. Set mussels aside to cool, discarding any unopened mussels. When cool, remove meat from shells, chop coarsely, and refrigerate until needed.
• In a stockpot, over medium-high heat, saute bacon until fat is rendered and bacon begins to brown. Add onions, celery and cook until onions turn translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add potatoes and thyme and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add stock or clam juice, reserved mussel liquid, remaining 1 tablespoon basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, or until potatoes are soft and begin to thicken chowder. Add milk, chopped mussels and bring back to simmer. Reheat for 2 to 3 minutes. Check for seasoning. Serve with garlic bread.

MUSSEL CHOWDER

Steps:

• Place 1 cup of wine, the water and the lemon juice in a large pot and bring to a boil. Lower heat, add the mussels, cover and steam, shaking the pot from time to time, until the mussels open, about 7 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle. Pull the mussels from the shells and refrigerate. Reserve the broth.
• Melt the butter in a large, wide pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots and potatoes and cook for 4 minutes longer. Add the mussel broth and the remaining wine and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Turn the heat to low and stir in the milk and cream. With the liquid barely at a simmer, cook for 30 minutes. Stir in the saffron and cook for 5 minutes longer. Add the mussels, salt and pepper and cook just until the mussels are warmed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with the basil. Serve immediately.