Mussels And Basil Bread Crumbs Food

MUSSELS AND BASIL BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Combine the toasted bread cubes, garlic, 1/4 cup of olive oil, and the lemon juice in a food processor and pulse a few times to make coarse crumbs. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper and pulse to combine. Add the pine nuts and pulse a few times to combine but not to chop the nuts. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the wine in a heavy-bottomed pot, such as Le Creuset, and bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover, and cook over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, until the mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that don't open. Add the basil bread crumbs and toss gently. Serve hot in shallow bowls with any pan juices.

GRILLED MUSSELS WITH HERBED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• I love using the heat of the grill to open shellfish. I think they come out as juicy as if they were roasted in the oven. The flavors of garlic, parsley and mint make this a great opener to a meal or a nice side dish or nibble. The crunch of the bread crumbs is also a great texture contrast to the mussels and the flavors evoke the natural sweetness of the mussels.
• Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium.
• Heat a large skillet over low heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is warm add the garlic. Stir the garlic with a wooden spoon and season with salt, to taste. Give the garlic a minute to "melt" into the oil but do not let it brown. Stir in the bread crumbs, parsley and mint. Taste for seasoning, Set aside.
• When the grill is hot, scatter the mussels on the grill in a single layer. Have a pair of tongs and a large platter ready. As the mussels open, use the tongs to remove them from the grill onto a platter. When they are all opened, squeeze the juice from the lemons over them and spoon the bread crumb mixture into the shells. Serve immediately.

MUSSELS WITH BASIL CREAM

Steps:

• Cook onion and garlic in butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add wine and mussels and cook, covered, over moderately high heat until mussels just open wide, 6 to 8 minutes. (Discard any mussels that have not opened after 8 minutes.) Transfer mussels with a slotted spoon to a serving bowl, then transfer cooking liquid to a blender along with cream, basil, and pepper and blend until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids). Season sauce with salt and pour over mussels.

MUSSELS WITH HERBED BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Stir together bread crumbs, oil, cheese, garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and table salt.
• Scrub reserved shells inside and out and dry thoroughly. Spread kosher salt about 1/4 inch deep in a large shallow (1-inch-deep) baking pan and nestle shells in salt to keep them level. Return shucked mussels to shells and top each with about 1 teaspoon bread crumb mixture.
• Bake mussels in middle of oven until crumbs are golden brown and crisp, about 7 minutes.
• Cool slightly and brush salt from bottoms of mussel shells before serving.

BROILED GARLIC MUSSELS (MOULES GRATIEES )

Steps:

• Scrub the mussel under cold running water. Remove beards and discard any opened ones. Put in a pan with the wine, cover and steam for 5-8 minutes.
• Strain and reserve the cooking liquid. Discard any that aren't open. Remove the top half of each mussel shell and discard.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet, saute shallots until soft, add the garlic and cook an additional 1-2 minutes. Add bread crumbs and saute until lightly browned, remove from heat and stir in the herbs. Moisten with some of the reserved liquid. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the mussels ( in their half shells) and arrange on baking sheet. Top with shredded Parmesan. Broil in batches, for 1-2 minutes until the topping is crisp and golden. Keep the first batch warm while you finish the rest.
• Garnish with basil leaves and serve.

MUSSELS SAUTEED WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Scrub, wash and debeard the mussels; drain well.
• Mince garlic. Remove leaves from stems of mint and basil. Mince chili. Cut scallions into 1-inch slices and cut red pepper into julienne strips.
• Mix the fish sauce, sugar and peppercorns together.
• Saute garlic in hot oil in a skillet large enough to hold all the ingredients, for 30 seconds over high heat.
• Add the mussels and stir-fry 3 to 5 minutes, until shells begin to open.
• Stir in fish sauce mixture and continue cooking. When all the mussels have opened, add mint, basil, chili, scallions and red pepper and continue to stir-fry just long enough to combine ingredients with the mussels. Serve over jasmine or fragrant rice (available in Asian markets).