Mussels With White Mushrooms And Hazelnuts Recipes

WHITE BUTTONS AND CRIMINI WITH MUSSELS AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Heat a skillet large enough to hold the mussels in a single layer. Add the mussels and 1/2 cup vermouth. Cook for 1 minute. Add about 3/4 cup cold water. The mussels shouldn't take long to cook, about 2 minutes. Take care to stir the mussels from time to time so they cook as evenly as possible. Use kitchen tongs to pluck the mussels from the pan as they open.
• When all of the mussels are cooked, strain, and reserve the liquid for the sauce. Remove the mussels from their shells. Discard the shells. Reserve the mussels in the refrigerator until 5 minutes before serving.
• Using a small paring knife, quarter the mushrooms. Heat another skillet large enough to hold the mushrooms in a single layer. Heat the skillet slightly and then remove the pan from direct heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter, melt quickly and turn a light brown color. Return the skillet to the heat and immediately add the shallot and the mushrooms. Season lightly with salt and red pepper flakes.
• Add 1 tablespoon butter to a small skillet and add the hazelnuts. Season them lightly with salt and "simmer" them over low heat until they turn light brown. Set aside to cool.
• Cook the mushrooms for 2 to 3 minutes, until they start to give up liquid. Add the remaining vermouth. Cook for an additional 1 minute and then drain out any cooking liquid. Combine the mushroom and the mussel liquids in a small pan and allow the 2 flavors to simmer together for 1 minute. The sauce may need a pinch of salt. The flavor should be an initial taste of sweet mussel followed by an undertone of earthiness from the mushroom. Swirl 1 tablespoon butter and a touch of lemon juice. Keep warm.
• Heat the large skillet until hot, 2 minutes. Remove from the direct heat and add 1 tablespoon butter. When it turns light brown, return the skillet to the burner and add the mussels and mushrooms in a single layer. Cook for 1 minute without stirring them. They should be browned on their first side before you stir them slightly, with a wooden spoon, and leave them to brown for an additional minute. Taste for seasoning.
• Toss in the hazelnuts. Serve on a platter, family style, with slices of grilled bread or over a piece of fish or meat for an aromatic and earthy celebration of mushrooms!
• Wine pairing: A chalky chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner, or a pale ale would be lovely with this flavor combination.

BAKED MUSSELS WITH MUSHROOMS AND BACON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400ºF (200ºC).
• Put mussels, pilsner and cream in a large pot, cover with a lid, bring to a boil and steam for 2 to 3 minutes, or until mussels have opened.
• Remove from heat and drain, reserving cooking liquid in a bowl and discarding any mussels whose shells remain closed.
• Strain cooking liquid through a fine sieve, place in a pan and boil for 5 minutes or until thickened. Reserve for sauce.
• Remove mussels from shells, separate top and bottom halves of shells, discarding top halves. Reserve remaining shells and mussels separately.
• Melt butter over high heat in a large skillet. Sauté shallots, smoked bacon and mushrooms for 3 minutes, or until bacon is cooked and vegetables are soft.
• Combine vegetable mixture with reserved mussels, reduced cooking liquid and chopped parsley.
• Spoon mussels and mixture into reserved mussel shells. Place in a baking dish, top with grated cheese (at this point you can refrigerate for up to 24 hours until ready to serve) and bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and mussels are warmed through.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

ISLAND MUSSELS WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND CREAM

Steps:

• Scrub mussels gently but thoroughly in cool, running water; remove the beard by pulling with a quick yank or cutting close to the shell with scissors.
• In a large pot or kettle, melt butter;' add onion and mushrooms, and sauté 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add mussels and cream; cover and cook until mussels open, about 5 minutes. Discard any mussels that do not open. Spoon mussels and sauce into 4 individual serving dishes.

MOULES POULETTE (BROILED MUSSELS WITH MUSHROOMS, LEMON, AND CREAM)

Steps:

• Bring wine to a simmer in a large skillet over high heat. Add mussels, and cook, stirring frequently, until the mussels have opened, up to about 5 minutes. Transfer mussels as they open to a bowl to cool. Strain cooking liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a measuring cup, reserving 1 cup liquid and discarding any grit.
• Discard any mussels that did not open or that have broken shells. Open each mussel, discarding the empty half shell. Loosen each mussel from shell, and arrange mussels on an oven-proof platter or rimmed baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate while making sauce.
• Mash 1 tablespoon butter with flour until smooth; set aside. Melt remaining tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add mushrooms, and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Add reserved mussel liquid, and bring to a boil. Whisk in the butter-and-flour mixture. Whisk in the cream, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Simmer until reduced by two-thirds and thickened. Remove pan from heat, and keep warm.
• Heat broiler. Position rack 3 to 4 inches from heat. Remove mussels from refrigerator, and spoon sauce over each one until well coated. Sprinkle with grated cheese, and place under broiler until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve immediately.

MUSSELS AND PASTA WITH CREAMY WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook linguine at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.
• Place mussel meat in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
• Melt 1 teaspoon butter in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Gently warm the mussels until they release their water, about 3 minutes. Remove to a bowl and set aside.
• Wipe out the skillet with paper towels. Melt remaining 3 teaspoons butter in the skillet. Cut any large mushrooms into smaller pieces. Add to the skillet and sprinkle with pepper. Cook until starting to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Pour wine into the skillet, add red pepper flakes, and cook until wine has reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in cream and add mussels. Heat until warmed through, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Use tongs to lift linguine out of the pot and add to the skillet with some of the cooking water. Toss to coat with sauce. Plate and garnish with lemon zest.