Mussels With White Mushrooms And Hazelnuts Food

WHITE BUTTONS AND CRIMINI WITH MUSSELS AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Heat a skillet large enough to hold the mussels in a single layer. Add the mussels and 1/2 cup vermouth. Cook for 1 minute. Add about 3/4 cup cold water. The mussels shouldn't take long to cook, about 2 minutes. Take care to stir the mussels from time to time so they cook as evenly as possible. Use kitchen tongs to pluck the mussels from the pan as they open.
• When all of the mussels are cooked, strain, and reserve the liquid for the sauce. Remove the mussels from their shells. Discard the shells. Reserve the mussels in the refrigerator until 5 minutes before serving.
• Using a small paring knife, quarter the mushrooms. Heat another skillet large enough to hold the mushrooms in a single layer. Heat the skillet slightly and then remove the pan from direct heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter, melt quickly and turn a light brown color. Return the skillet to the heat and immediately add the shallot and the mushrooms. Season lightly with salt and red pepper flakes.
• Add 1 tablespoon butter to a small skillet and add the hazelnuts. Season them lightly with salt and "simmer" them over low heat until they turn light brown. Set aside to cool.
• Cook the mushrooms for 2 to 3 minutes, until they start to give up liquid. Add the remaining vermouth. Cook for an additional 1 minute and then drain out any cooking liquid. Combine the mushroom and the mussel liquids in a small pan and allow the 2 flavors to simmer together for 1 minute. The sauce may need a pinch of salt. The flavor should be an initial taste of sweet mussel followed by an undertone of earthiness from the mushroom. Swirl 1 tablespoon butter and a touch of lemon juice. Keep warm.
• Heat the large skillet until hot, 2 minutes. Remove from the direct heat and add 1 tablespoon butter. When it turns light brown, return the skillet to the burner and add the mussels and mushrooms in a single layer. Cook for 1 minute without stirring them. They should be browned on their first side before you stir them slightly, with a wooden spoon, and leave them to brown for an additional minute. Taste for seasoning.
• Toss in the hazelnuts. Serve on a platter, family style, with slices of grilled bread or over a piece of fish or meat for an aromatic and earthy celebration of mushrooms!
• Wine pairing: A chalky chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner, or a pale ale would be lovely with this flavor combination.

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.

ROASTED MUSHROOMS WITH TOASTED BUTTERY HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Heat a skillet large enough to hold the mushrooms in a single layer over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter, which should, ideally, melt quickly and turn a light brown color. Add the shallots, season with salt and pepper, and give them a quick stir. Add mushrooms, 1 more tablespoon of butter and season with a bit more salt. Cook for about 4 minutes until mushrooms begin to turn golden brown and release some of their water. To avoid a possible flame up, move pan away from the stove and carefully add the vermouth. Return pan to stove and let cook for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce the vermouth.
• While mushrooms are cooking melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over low heat. Add the hazelnuts and let them "simmer" in the butter over low heat until they turn light brown, about 4 minutes.
• Once the vermouth has reduced and been absorbed by the mushrooms sprinkle in the paprika (use a mesh strainer to evenly distribute the paprika over all the mushrooms). Add the lemon juice and hazelnuts and give it a stir. Remove from heat and let cool for 2 minutes.
• Top each slice of toasted French bread with about 2 tablespoons of the mushroom mixture, place on platter and serve.

ISLAND MUSSELS WITH WILD MUSHROOMS AND CREAM

Steps:

• Scrub mussels gently but thoroughly in cool, running water; remove the beard by pulling with a quick yank or cutting close to the shell with scissors.
• In a large pot or kettle, melt butter;' add onion and mushrooms, and sauté 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add mussels and cream; cover and cook until mussels open, about 5 minutes. Discard any mussels that do not open. Spoon mussels and sauce into 4 individual serving dishes.