Italian-Style Steamed Mussels
Indulge in the Mediterranean flavors with this delightful Italian-Style Steamed Mussels recipe, inspired by my beloved Italian sister-in-law. The dish features fresh, succulent mussels steamed to perfection and infused with aromatic garlic, savory tomatoes, and a splash of dry white wine. Perfectly paired with crusty Italian bread, this dish allows you to soak up the delicious broth, making each bite a celebration of flavor. Whether you're hosting a dinner or enjoying a cozy night at home, this recipe is sure to impress your guests or satisfy your cravings. Don't forget to follow the simple steps for selecting, storing, and cleaning mussels to ensure the freshest and safest preparation.
2
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Mussels
1.25 lbs (Cleaned and soaked)
Butter
2 tablespoons (Melted)
Onions
1.5 tablespoons (Minced)
Garlic
1 clove (Minced)
Tomato
1 small (Chopped)
Oregano
1/4 teaspoon (Dried)
Salt and Black Pepper
To taste (Freshly ground)
Dry White Wine
1/4 cup (None)
Instructions
1
Begin by selecting fresh mussels; discard any that are chipped, broken, or open. Only choose mussels that are tightly closed.
2
If you aren't cooking the mussels right away, store them in the refrigerator covered with damp paper towels in a container that can be tightly sealed to maintain freshness.
3
Prior to cooking, wash the mussels thoroughly in several changes of cold water, ensuring all grit is removed.
4
Using a small knife or a dry towel, carefully remove the beards by pulling them towards the hinged side of the mussel.
5
To eliminate any remaining sand, soak the mussels in a bowl of cold water mixed with a handful of salt and a handful of flour for about 30 minutes.
6
After soaking, take each mussel from the bowl and use a firm brush to remove any barnacles. Rinse them again in a bowl of clean water.
7
In a medium-sized pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced onions and sauté until they become translucent.
8
Incorporate the minced garlic and stir for another minute until fragrant.
9
Add the chopped tomato, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot, cooking until the tomato becomes soft.
10
Pour in the dry white wine and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
11
Pat the cleaned mussels dry with a clean towel. Carefully add them to the pot, cover with a lid, and steam for about 4 minutes.
12
After 4 minutes, remove the lid, give the mussels a gentle stir, then cover again and steam for an additional 2 to 4 minutes. Most mussels should open during this time.
13
Discard any mussels that remain closed after cooking.
14
Divide the steamed mussels into serving bowls and generously ladle the flavorful broth over them.
15
For larger quantities, be mindful not to overcrowd the pot, as this can hinder the mussels from opening properly.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Italian-Style Steamed Mussels?
This dish features fresh, succulent mussels steamed with aromatic garlic, savory tomatoes, and dry white wine, reflecting Mediterranean flavors.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This specific recipe is designed to serve 2 people.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients required, including mussels, butter, onions, garlic, tomato, oregano, salt and pepper, and dry white wine.
How do I choose the best mussels for this dish?
Select fresh mussels and discard any that are chipped, broken, or open. Only use mussels that are tightly closed.
How should I store mussels before cooking?
Store them in the refrigerator covered with damp paper towels in a tightly sealed container to maintain freshness.
What is the first step in cleaning the mussels?
Wash the mussels thoroughly in several changes of cold water to ensure all grit is removed.
How do I remove the mussel 'beards'?
Use a small knife or a dry towel to carefully pull the beards towards the hinged side of the mussel.
How can I remove sand from inside the mussels?
Soak the mussels in a bowl of cold water mixed with a handful of salt and a handful of flour for about 30 minutes.
What should I do after soaking the mussels?
Take each mussel and use a firm brush to remove any barnacles, then rinse them again in clean water.
What type of wine is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of dry white wine to create the steaming liquid.
How much garlic is used in the dish?
You will need 1 clove of garlic, minced, to flavor the broth.
What size pot should I use for 2 servings?
A medium-sized pot is sufficient for steaming 1.25 lbs of mussels.
How long do the onions need to be sautéed?
Sauté the minced onions in melted butter until they become translucent.
What herbs are used to season the mussels?
This recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano along with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
When should I add the tomatoes to the pot?
Add the chopped tomato after the garlic has become fragrant and cook until the tomato becomes soft.
Do I need to dry the mussels before cooking?
Yes, pat the cleaned mussels dry with a clean towel before carefully adding them to the pot.
How long do the mussels take to steam?
Steam them covered for 4 minutes, then stir and steam for an additional 2 to 4 minutes.
What should I do with mussels that don't open?
Discard any mussels that remain closed after the full cooking time has elapsed.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
Divide the mussels into bowls, ladle the flavorful broth over them, and serve with crusty Italian bread.
Can I make a larger quantity of this recipe?
Yes, but be careful not to overcrowd the pot, as this can prevent the mussels from opening properly.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy eating and focuses on fresh seafood and vegetables.
What is the total weight of mussels used in this recipe?
The recipe requires 1.25 lbs of mussels.
What kind of fat is used for sautéing?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of butter.
Should the wine mixture be boiling before adding mussels?
Yes, bring the wine and tomato mixture to a gentle boil before adding the mussels.
What kind of bread goes best with this?
Crusty Italian bread is recommended to soak up the delicious broth.
Is the onion minced or chopped?
The recipe specifically calls for 1.5 tablespoons of minced onions.
What is the inspiration behind this recipe?
The recipe was inspired by the author's Italian sister-in-law.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried oregano?
It uses 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano.
How many tags are associated with this recipe?
There are 9 tags, including 'italian cuisine', 'seafood', 'mediterranean', and 'comfort food'.
Is it important to rinse the mussels after the flour soak?
Yes, rinse them again in a bowl of clean water after brushing off barnacles and finishing the soak.