Mussels In Parchment Recipes

MUSSELS IN TOMATO-PARSLEY SAUCE BAKED IN PARCHMENT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut a sheet of parchment paper to measure 15 by 24 inches. Fold in half horizontally, and crease. Make a 1-inch fold on one open side; fold over again. Press firmly to seal. Repeat on opposite side to form a large pocket.
• Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl. Place parchment pocket in a roasting pan. Holding pocket up, pour in mussel mixture. Seal top by making a 1-inch fold. Fold over again; press firmly to seal. Lay pocket flat in pan.
• Bake mussels 20 minutes; all mussels should be open (discard any that remain closed). Serve immediately, opening packet at the table.

MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE

Steps:

• To clean the mussels, put them in a large bowl with 2 quarts of water and the flour and soak for 30 minutes, or until the mussels disgorge any sand. Drain the mussels, then remove the "beard" from each with your fingers. If they're dirty, scrub the mussels with a brush under running water. Discard any mussels whose shells aren't tightly shut.
• In a large non-aluminum stockpot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 5 minutes; then add the garlic and cook for 3 more minutes, or until the shallots are translucent. Add the tomatoes, saffron, parsley, thyme, wine, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
• Add the mussels, stir well, then cover the pot, and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until all the mussels are opened (discard any that do not open). With the lid on, shake the pot once or twice to be sure the mussels don't burn on the bottom. Pour the mussels and the sauce into a large bowl and serve hot.

MUSSELS IN PARCHMENT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut out six 14 x 14-inch pieces of parchment or foil. Fold parchment in half; cut into half-heart shape. Unfold hearts and place on work surface; brush parchment with oil. Spoon 2 tablespoons tomatoes, 1 tablespoon leek, 1 tablespoon cilantro and 1 teaspoon ginger onto 1 half of each heart. Drizzle 1 tablespoon wine over each. Arrange 6 mussels atop vegetable mixture. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over mussels.
• Fold up parchment packages, sealing edges and using paper clips to fasten, if necessary. Place on baking sheet. Bake packages 10 minutes. Transfer to plates; allow diners to open packages.

THE ULTIMATE SALMON IN PARCHMENT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 2 sheet trays in oven to warm.
• To make the curry butter: Combine ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth.
• To prepare the Salmon and Mussels: Begin by making a seasoning with fennel and coriander seed and salt and pepper. Pound spices in a mortar and pestle, or grind with a coffee grinder, until you have a rough powder.
• In a large mixing bowl combine couscous, cilantro, lemon zest and half the spice mix. Stir well to combine, drizzle with olive oil, then divide evenly among 4 large pieces of parchment (big enough to create a folded pocket for the salmon). Nestle into the couscous 1 frozen chicken stock cube for each portion. Top with the piece of salmon and then sprinkle with remaining spice mix. Squeeze lemon juice over the top of each piece of fish and couscous then set 4 mussels around the fish in each packet. Fold over the parchment to create a pocket and trim paper to make a heart shape. Crimp over the edges, working from one end to the other to secure the paper tightly then brush with olive oil so the paper doesn't burn. Carefully transfer the parchment pockets to the hot sheet trays (you will probably need to put 2 per tray) then bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
• When done, the paper will puff up. Cut open tableside with scissors, top with curry butter, and shower with fresh chopped scallions and cilantro.

STEAMED MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Put olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper and let sizzle for 30 seconds without browning. Add the mussels, stir to coat and increase heat to high. Add the wine or water, and put on lid. After 2 minutes, give the mussels a stir, then replace lid and continue cooking until all mussels have opened, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Paint cut sides of the baguette pieces with oil and place cut side up under broiler to toast. Rub toasts with the remaining garlic cloves.
• Stir the chopped parsley into the mussels, then ladle mussels and broth into bowls. Serve with the garlic toasts.