Cozze Al Forno Food

ROASTED BREADED MUSSELS (COZZE AL FORNO)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425°F.
• Prepare the scrubbed mussels for cooking by checking to make sure that none of the shells are open (discard the open ones).
• Place the mussels in a pan with 1/2 cup of water or dry white wine over medium high heat and cook stirring frequently just until the mussels begin to open. Remove and put into a bowl as the shells will continue to open.
• When all of the mussels are removed, strain the liquid through a sieve or cheesecloth and reserve the liquid. You should have a 1/4 cup of the liquid. Now remove the mussels from their shells reserving half of the shells. Place the halved shell on a baking sheet and place a mussel in each one.
• In a small bowl, combine the garlic, parsley, oregano, grated cheese, and breadcrumbs. Now sprinkle the mixture over the mussels in a thin layer. Now drizzle the olive oil and a little of the reserved liquid over the breadcrumb mixture.
• Bake the mussels for about 10 minutes or until the tops of the breadcrumbs are brown and crisp (careful not to burn the breadcrumbs).
• Serve right away and enjoy.

COZZE ALLA TARANTINA

Steps:

• Heat a charcoal grill to medium high.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy Dutch oven over the grill grates. Add the red pepper flakes and garlic and stir until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until some of the tomatoes begin to burst and you begin to smell their sweetness, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the wine. Once it begins to simmer, add the mussels and cover with a lid. Cook just until the mussels open, 6 to 8 minutes. Do not overcook or they'll be tough and chewy and no longer taste like the sea. Discard the mussels that do not open while cooking.
• Divide the mussels and cooking liquid among soup bowls. Sprinkle with the parsley and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with the Grilled Bread.
• Grill the bread over medium-high heat until golden and brown on both sides. Rub the garlic on both sides of the bread for flavor. Serve with olive oil.