Savory Thai Coconut Mussels
Savor the flavors of Southeast Asia with this exquisite Savory Thai Coconut Mussels recipe, inspired by the renowned Santa Fe Cafe in Seattle. This dish features tender mussels bathed in a rich, aromatic curry-infused coconut broth, blending fresh tomatoes, garlic, and ginger for a truly delightful experience. Whether you prefer a mild kick or an intense heat, you can adjust the Thai red curry paste to your liking. Serve it as a light first course or a hearty main, paired wonderfully with crusty bread to soak up the luscious broth. Enjoy a culinary journey that transports your taste buds with every bite.
6
Servings
200
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
1/4 cup (melted)
Plum tomatoes
5 (seeded and chopped)
Minced garlic
2 tablespoons (freshly minced)
Fresh ginger
1 tablespoon (peeled and minced)
Coconut milk
28 ounces (canned, unsweetened)
Thai red curry paste
1 tablespoon (adjust to taste)
Fresh cilantro
7 tablespoons (chopped, divided)
Salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Mussels
3 lbs (scrubbed and debearded)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat, allowing it to become bubbly but not browned.
2
Add the chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, and minced ginger to the pot. Sauté for about 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and tender.
3
Pour in the coconut milk, followed by the Thai red curry paste, 4 tablespoons of chopped cilantro, and salt. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
4
Let the mixture simmer for 4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
5
Carefully add the scrubbed and debearded mussels to the pot, ensuring they're evenly distributed in the broth.
6
Cover the pot with a lid and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that remain closed.
7
Ladle the broth and mussels into soup bowls, serving either 4 for a main course or 6 for a delightful first course.
8
Garnish with the remaining cilantro and serve with crusty bread for dipping into the flavorful broth.
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Fat
8.3g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Thai Coconut Mussels?
They are a Southeast Asian-inspired dish featuring tender mussels in a rich, aromatic curry-infused coconut broth with tomatoes, garlic, and ginger.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the famous Santa Fe Cafe located in Seattle.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
It yields 6 servings as a first course or 4 servings as a main course.
How long do the mussels need to cook?
The mussels should cook for approximately 5 minutes until they have opened.
What should I do if a mussel stays closed after cooking?
You should discard any mussels that remain closed after the cooking process.
How much Thai red curry paste should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon, but you can adjust this amount to your preferred level of heat.
What type of coconut milk is required?
The recipe requires 28 ounces of canned, unsweetened coconut milk.
How many pounds of mussels are needed?
You will need 3 lbs of mussels, scrubbed and debearded.
What are the nutritional values per serving?
Each serving contains 200 calories, 12.5g of fat, 8.3g of carbohydrates, and 15g of protein.
What is the best way to serve this dish?
It is best served in soup bowls garnished with cilantro and accompanied by crusty bread for dipping.
How much garlic is in the recipe?
The dish uses 2 tablespoons of freshly minced garlic.
What kind of tomatoes are used?
The recipe calls for 5 plum tomatoes that have been seeded and chopped.
Can I use ground ginger instead of fresh?
The recipe specifies 1 tablespoon of fresh peeled and minced ginger for the best flavor.
How much butter is used to start the dish?
You start by melting 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, gourmet meal option.
How much cilantro is needed in total?
A total of 7 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro is used, divided between the broth and the garnish.
How long do you simmer the broth before adding mussels?
The coconut milk and spice mixture should simmer for 4 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Is this dish spicy?
It has a spicy tag, but the heat can be controlled by adjusting the amount of Thai red curry paste.
How much salt is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1 teaspoon of salt, or you can add it to taste.
What preparation is needed for the mussels?
The mussels must be scrubbed and debearded before they are added to the pot.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 15 grams of protein in each serving.
What are the carbohydrate counts?
Each serving contains 8.3 grams of carbohydrates.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, it is categorized as a quick meal, with a cooking time for the mussels of only 5 minutes.
How much fat is in one serving?
There is 12.5 grams of fat per serving.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized under Mussels.
Can this be served as an appetizer?
Yes, it is tagged as both an appetizer and a dinner dish.
Do I need to peel the ginger?
Yes, the instructions specify that the ginger should be peeled and minced.
What is the consistency of the dish?
It is a liquid-based dish with a rich and luscious coconut broth.
Should the butter be browned?
No, the butter should be melted until bubbly but not allowed to brown.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 200 calories per serving.