Curried Steamed Mussels

by David Leite
Serves 4

After years of not doing justice to the mighty Mytilus edulis by serving it with a run-of-the-mill white-wine broth, I found inspiration in Martin Ruiz-Salvador, chef/owner of Fleur de Sel, in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.—David Leite

convert Ingredients
4 pounds mussels
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 cup white wine
1 1/4 teaspoons curry powder
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Method
1. Debeard and scrub the mussels, discarding any that feel heavy, have broken shells or don’t close when lightly tapped against the counter.

2. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large stock pot. Add the shallots and saute until softened, about 3 minutes, stirring often. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Increase the heat to high. Add the white wine and mussels, cover and cook until the mussels open, 9 to 10 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally. With a slotted spoon, remove the mussels to a bowl, discarding any that didn’t open. Wrap the bowl in a clean tea towel and keep warm.

3. Add the curry powder and cream to the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, add the lime juice and cook to thicken slightly. Return the mussels to the pot, toss to coat and heat through. Ladle the mussels and broth into warmed bowls and sprinkle with cilantro.

Recipe © 2002 David Leite. All rights reserved.
© 2009 Leite’s Culinaria, Inc. All rights reserved. Terms of use.