Musselswithgreekyogurtcapersandmint Recipes

MUSSELS AND CLAMS WITH SIZZLING BROWN BUTTER AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Wash clams well. Wash mussels, making sure to remove and discard their beards. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in each of 2 large cast iron frying pans over high heat. Add clams and half the thyme to 1 of the pans; add mussels and half of the thyme to the other pan; cook for 1 minute. Divide butter and capers between the 2 pans. Continue cooking clams and mussels for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they open.
• To serve, place clams mussels and the butter in which they cooked in a warmed serving bowl and sprinkle with fleur de sel. Serve with bread on the side, to soak up the butter at the bottom of the bowl.

MUSSELS AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Scrape mussels under cold running water and remove beards. Discard any mussels that do not close when tapped.
• Combine mussels, onion, wine, and pepper in a medium pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook, shaking pot frequently, until mussels open, about 5 minutes.
• Combine bread crumbs, parsley, and garlic in a small dish. Whisk oil and lemon juice together in a second small bowl.
• Snap each mussel into 2 parts and place the shell with the meat in an oven-proof dish. Make sure no liquid remains on the shell; discard the empty shells. Spoon parsley mixture over the mussels and drizzle with the oil mixture.
• Bake mussels in the preheated oven until topping is crunchy, about 10 minutes.

MUSSELS WITH GREEK YOGURT, CAPERS, AND MINT

Steps:

• Clean and debeard the mussels and rinse in a colander under cold running water, discarding any whose shells are cracked or do not close tightly when tapped.
• In a large saucepan, over medium heat, combine the mussels with the wine, stirring to combine. Cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes until shells have opened. Transfer opened shells to a bowl to cool. Re-cover and cook for a few minutes as needed until all the mussels have opened. Discard any that do not open.
• Once cooled, remove shells from mussels and reserve half for serving. Place mussels in a bowl and then strain the cooking liquid into the same bowl, discarding solids. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.
• Mince the capers finely and place in a small bowl. Add yogurt and season with salt. Add 2 tablespoons of the cooking liquid (which has been added to the mussels in the refrigerator). Mix well with a whisk to slightly whip the yogurt.
• To serve, in reserved half shell, dollop a small amount of caper yogurt, place a mussel on top, and garnish with mint.

MUSSELS AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Blend the butter and the seasoning together and let stand 1 hour. Scrub and beard the mussels. Place them in a heavy skillet or pot with onion and enough white wine to cover the bottom of the pot well. Cover and steam over a medium flame until the mussels open. When cool enough to handle, remove one half shell from each mussel. Spoon butter mixture on mussels and sprinkle with crumbs. Bake at 425°F. just long enough to heat through. Serve on hot plates.

GINGER MINT MOSCOW MULE

Steps:

• Place the vodka, ginger mint syrup and lime juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a glass filled with ice cubes. Top with club soda, garnish with mint leaves and the lime wedge before serving.
• Place the sugar, water, ginger, mint and a pinch of salt into a small saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let steep for 20 to 30 minutes and strain once cooled. Alternatively, place the saucepan in a medium bowl filled with ice water and strain once cooled. Makes 6 to 8 servings.