Just a few seafood dishes can compete with mussels' exquisite flavors and versatility. These marine mollusks are simply tasty on their own. However, if you combine them with an appropriate wine, they become much more tastier. Therefore, in this post, we are going to discuss some of the mussel recipes to include in your seafood menu. Moreover, we’ll also inform you about the best wine pairings with those mussel recipes.
However, we offer a solution if you are unable to prepare delectable mussels at home. For a delicious black mussels or green mussels treat, head to Red Crab Restaurant. The nearby Red Crab will show up at the top of the list when you search for seafood near me online. You may come here to enjoy the best seafood in town and have a one-of-a-kind eating experience with a calm atmosphere and kind service.
So wear your apron and grab a skillet to begin cooking mussels.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of clean, debearded fresh mussels
- Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium shallot, cut finely
- 1 cup of dry white wine, like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 cup of vegetable or seafood broth
- Unsalted butter, two tablespoons
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Procedure
- Add the minced garlic and shallot to heated olive oil.
- Cook them until they are fragrant and transparent.
- Stir in the mussels in the garlic and shallot combination.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer after adding the white wine and broth.
- The mussels should steam for 5-7 minutes, or until they open. Discard unopened mussels.
- When the mussels open, add the butter and chopped parsley.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Serve these delicious mussels in white wine hot.
Wine Pairing
It's fascinating to try wine pairing with mussels in white wine sauce. It is because the correct wine may bring the flavors of the meal to a whole new level. The secret is to pick a wine that enhances the flavor of the white wine sauce. Furthermore, it should also balance the brininess of the mussels. Here are two fantastic choices:
- Sauvignon Blanc: Serving mussels in a white wine sauce is an excellent choice. The salty and sweet flavors of the mussels pair beautifully with this wine. It is because of sharp citrus flavors, and herbal notes that frequently appear in this wine. The zesty acidity of the wine also balances out the richness of the buttery sauce.
- Pinot Grigio: Pinot Grigio is yet another fantastic wine choice for mussels in white wine sauce. This wine is famous for its light and refreshing character, and delicate fruity flavors. The character of Pinot Grigio enables it to enhance without dominating the natural mussel flavor. The clear, crisp flavor of the wine also makes a delicious palette cleanser in between portions of the meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of clean, debearded fresh black mussels
- Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium onion, diced finely
- 1 cup of dry white wine, like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 cup of seafood or veggie broth
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- Chopped fresh parsley for a garnish
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- Crusty bread for serving
Procedure
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a big saucepan or Dutch oven.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and cook them until they are transparent.
- Now it's time to add cleaned black mussels to the saucepan.
- Proceed by adding white wine and broth.
- Steam the mussels for about 5-7 minutes, or until they open. Steam them by turning the heat up to medium-high, and covering the saucepan.
- Once the mussels open up, add the butter and black pepper and stir.
- Serve the steamed black mussels in deep dishes, topped with finely chopped parsley.
- Pair up the Classic White Wine Steamed Black Mussels with crusty bread. You may enjoy dipping and absorbing the delicious broth this way.
Wine Pairing
Choose a crisp, light-bodied white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. This classic black mussels meal will go perfectly with a light wine. The saline flavors of the mussels are offset by the wines' crisp acidity and citrus overtones. Hence, improving the overall dining experience.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of clean, debearded fresh black mussels
- Vegetable oil, two teaspoons
- Thai red curry paste, two tablespoons
- 14 ounces or 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 cup of chicken or seafood broth
- Fish sauce, two tablespoons
- Brown sugar, 1 tablespoon
- One thinly sliced red bell pepper
- Fresh basil leaves, 1 cup
- 1 lime, sliced into wedges for serving
Procedure
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
- Add the Thai red curry paste and cook for a minute, or until aromatic.
- Add the fish sauce, brown sugar, broth, coconut milk, and coconut oil. To thoroughly blend the flavors, stir well.
- Now, add the cleaned mussels and thinly sliced red bell pepper to the pot. Make sure they are spread equally in the pot.
- The mussels should simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until they open. Cook them in a covered pot.
- Add the fresh basil leaves when the mussels open up.
- Serve the hot and spicy Thai-style black mussels in bowls. Also, accompanied with lime wedges for an additional zesty kick.
Wine Pairing
To counteract the heat in the spicy Thai-style black mussels, use a wine with some residual sweetness. Try serving this meal with a Riesling or Gewürztraminer that is a little off-dry. The richness and spice of the food blend well with the fruity and flowery characteristics of these wines.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of clean, debearded fresh green mussels
- Vegetable oil, two teaspoons
- Green curry paste, 2 teaspoons
- 14 ounces of coconut milk from one can
- 1 cup of vegetable or seafood broth
- Fish sauce, 2 teaspoons
- Brown sugar, 1 tablespoon
- 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper
- Fresh basil leaves, 1 cup
- Slices of lime for serving
Procedure
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
- Stir-fry the green curry paste for a minute or until aromatic after adding it.
- Add the fish sauce, brown sugar, coconut milk, broth, and sugar.
- To make a creamy and smooth sauce, combine it thoroughly.
- Add clean mussels and thinly sliced red bell pepper to the pan. Make sure they are spread equally throughout.
- For around 5-7 minutes, or until they open, simmer the mussels with the lid on.
- When the mussels have opened, add the fresh basil leaves and stir.
- Serve the green mussels in dishes with coconut curry sauce and lime wedges for an additional citrus flavor boost.
Wine Pairing
A little sweet and fruity wine pairs nicely with the rich and fragrant flavors of the coconut curry sauce. Gewürztraminer or a Riesling with some residual sweetness may pair well with this meal. The spiciness of the curry is offset by the tropical fruit aromas. These wines have a little sweetness too that enhances the overall dining experience.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of clean, debearded fresh green mussels
- Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
- 1 medium onion, diced finely
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 can of chopped tomatoes (14 ounces)
- ½ cup of dry white wine, either Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- ¼ teaspoon of spicy red pepper flakes (if you want to make it spicy)
- ¼ cup of torn fresh basil leaves
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper (according to taste)
Procedure
- Melt the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook it until it starts to get transparent.
- In the skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute.
- Add the white wine, chopped tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. To enable the flavors to mingle, boil the mixture for around 5 minutes.
- Clean the mussels, then add them to the pan with the tomato sauce. The mussels should simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until they open. Make sure to cover the pan with the lid to cook the mussels.
- Stir in the basil leaves once the mussels are open.
- To improve the taste, add a little salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve the green mussels with tomato and basil in deep dishes along with crusty bread to mop up the delicious sauce.
Wine Pairing
A light-bodied, herbaceous wine like a Sauvignon Blanc pairs very well with the fresh and herbaceous aromas of this meal. The basil and tomato combine harmoniously and refreshingly. The mussels complement well with the grassy and zesty flavors of the wine.
If you are craving mussel recipes, then visit this seafood near me restaurant and place an order right away from our seafood menu. Red Crab offers a variety of seafood meals in addition to the mussel recipes to please foodies. We provide you with the most diverse and delectable seafood cuisine in town. With everything from a selection of exquisite seafood boils to a variety of crab legs, every dish is present. We promise you'll like every item on our seafood menu. Moreover, you'll find the tastiest seafood boil too. Here is a video to create it yourself:
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
By enhancing the overall flavors, the correct wine and mussels may enrich your supper. There are many wine varieties to suit every taste, whether you enjoy traditional mussel dishes or creamy sauces. You may embark on a culinary adventure that embraces the joys of seafood and wine by learning about these top 5 mussels and wine pairings. This will help you to create memorable and enjoyable moments at your dining table.
