Stuffed Baked Mussels

Serves: 5

Destiney Bartoletti

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

37

Spice

46

Sweetness

53

Sourness

40

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

3 sprigs

Thyme (fresh)

2 tbsps

Unsalted Butter

3 tbsps

Flour

3 cups

Rock Salt

1 tsp

Sea Salt

Directions:

1

Watch how to make this recipe

2

Debeard and clean the exterior of the mussel shells very well (they will be used later for service)

3

In a cast-iron Dutch oven over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, the garlic, red pepper flakes, white wine and thyme

4

Bring the wine to a simmer and add the mussels

5

Cover tightly and cook until all the mussels have opened, 6 to 8 minutes

6

Remove the mussels from the pot, discarding any that did not open, and when cool enough to handle, remove the flesh and chop

7

Rinse the shells and put aside for service

8

Strain the liquid from the pot and reserve

9

Wipe the Dutch oven clean with a paper towel

10

Place the pot over medium-high heat, add the remaining olive oil and, when shimmering, add the onions and bell peppers and saute until the onions are just starting to caramelize, 4 to 5 minutes

11

Add the serrano, the remaining garlic and the tomatoes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes

12

Add the butter and the flour

13

Once the butter melts, slowly incorporate the milk

14

Add the reserved cooking liquid from the mussels, a little at a time, until the mixture is creamy but not runny

15

Add the chopped mussels and gradually add 1 cup panko, as needed, and stir gently to combine

16

Preheat the oven to broil and adjust the rack to 6 inches below the element

17

Separate, rinse and dry the mussel shells

18

Spread the rock salt evenly in an ovenproof serving platter

19

Fill the mussel shells with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the mussel-vegetable mixture

20

Place the remaining cup of panko in a shallow bowl or plate and spread out

21

Gently roll the filled shells in the panko

22

Nest the filled mussels into the rock salt on the prepared platter

23

Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper, place under the broiler and broil until golden brown and bubbly, 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning

24

Sprinkle with the chopped Italian parsley, squeeze a few lemon wedges over the mussels and garnish with remaining lemon wedges and serve immediately