Chilled Mussel Salad Recipes

SQUID AND MUSSEL SALAD

Steps:

• Plunge squid into a large saucepan of boiling water, then remove pan from heat and let stand, stirring once or twice, 1 1/2 minutes. Drain squid in a colander and cool. Cut squid bodies crosswise into thin slices and halve tentacles crosswise.
• Scrub mussels and rinse well, then cook in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat, covered, until shells are opened, 4 to 6 minutes, checking frequently after 4 minutes and transferring mussels as opened to a bowl. (Discard any unopened mussels after 6 minutes.) Cool mussels, then remove from shells.
• Whisk together vinegar, citrus juices, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl and add squid, mussels, fennel, onion, and parsley, tossing to combine.
• Serve salad on endive leaves.

CHILLED MUSSELS WITH SAFFRON MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Make the mussels: Bring water, wine, and garlic to a simmer in a large skillet. Add mussels, and cover tightly. Cook, about 2 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer mussels to a bowl as they open. Discard any unopened mussels. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the saffron mayonnaise: Simmer garlic in a small saucepan of water until tender, 15 minutes. Drain, and let cool. Crush saffron threads and 3/4 teaspoon salt with a mortar and pestle or with the back of a spoon. Puree garlic, yolks, and saffron salt in a food processor, or in a bowl using an immersion blender. With machine running, add vegetable oil in a slow, steady trickle, until mixture begins to emulsify. Continue adding remaining vegetable oil slowly, processing until incorporated. Gradually add olive oil, vinegar, and water, blending until silky. Transfer to a small bowl. (Mayonnaise can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.) Stir before serving.
• Remove mussels from their shells, and return each one to a half shell. Spoon mayonnaise on top of each mussel, and serve with vegetables on the side and remaining mayonnaise for dipping.

MUSSEL AND PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place the mussels in a saucepan and add the wine. Cover and cook over high heat, shaking the pan occasionally to redistribute the mussels, about 4 minutes or until all the mussels are opened.
• Remove the mussels with a slotted spoon and set them aside to cool. Strain the broth. There should be about 2 1/2 cups. Reserve the broth. When the mussels are cool enough to handle, remove the meat and discard the shells.
• Add the reserved broth and the water to a large saucepan or kettle. Bring to a boil and add the zucchini. Cook 3 minutes and remove the zucchini with a slotted spoon. Let cool.
• Add the pasta to the saucepan, stir and bring to a boil. Cook 15 to 20 minutes or according to package instructions. It should be al dente. Drain well and let cool.
• Meanwhile, put the egg yolk, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Beat the mixture with a wire whisk while slowly adding the oil a few drops at a time at first, then in a slow drizzle. When all the oil is incorporated, add the cayenne pepper, shallots and garlic and blend well.
• Place the zucchini, tomatoes, pasta and mussels in a large bowl. Add the sauce and the basil. Toss well. Check the seasoning and serve.

CHILLED MUSSEL SALAD

Steps:

• Heat a medium pot over medium-high. Add mussels and 1 tablespoon pepper; stir to combine. Cover pot and steam until shells open and mussels are cooked, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer cooked mussels to a bowl or rimmed baking sheet and let cool. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled.
• In a medium bowl, whisk to combine mustard, lemon zest and juice, honey, shallot, garlic, saffron, curry powder, and a pinch of salt. While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in oil.
• In a large bowl, combine mussels, radishes, watercress, and parsley. Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss to combine. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with parsley.

ITALIAN SEAFOOD SALAD (INSALATA DI MARE) RECIPE

Steps:

• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss shrimp with salt and baking soda and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Pick all but 10 mussels from their shells, discarding shells. Cut shrimp in half lengthwise down the middle. In a medium bowl, combine parsley, remaining 1/2 cup (120ml) lemon juice, lemon zest, remaining 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil, remaining 2 minced cloves garlic, cayenne pepper, and coriander seed (if using). Whisk well.

COLD MUSSELS WITH TOMATO CORIANDER SAUCE

Steps:

• In a heavy stainless steel or enameled kettle steam the mussels in the wine covered over high heat shaking the kettle once or twice, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the shells have opened. Discard any unopened shells. Transfer the mussels with a slotted spoon to jelly-roll pans, reserving the mussel liquor, discard the top shells, and release the the mussels from the bottom shells, leaving them in the shells. Chill the mussels, covered loosely with dampened paper towels and wrapped in plastic wrap, for at least 2 hours or overnight. Strain the reserved mussel liquor through a fine sieve lined with a double thickness of rinsed and squeezed cheesecloth into a small bowl.
• In a large stainless steel or enameled skillet cook the onions in the oil over moderate, stirring, until they are softened, add the garlic, and cook the mixture, stirring, stirring until the garlic is softened. Add the cumin and cook the mixture over moderately low heat, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and 3/4 cup of the strained mussel liquor, bring the liquid to a boil, and simmer the mixture, stirring for 10 minutes, or until it is thickened slightly. Stir in the chili peppers, the scallion, and salt and pepper to taste, let the sauce cool, and stir in the minced coriander.
• Spoon the sauce over the mussels, arrange the mussels decoratively on platters, and garnish the platters with the coriander leaves if desired. (The mussels with the sauce may be prepared up to 1 day ahead and kept covered and chilled.)