Enrique Riggss Mussels Supreme Recipes

STEAMED MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Put olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper and let sizzle for 30 seconds without browning. Add the mussels, stir to coat and increase heat to high. Add the wine or water, and put on lid. After 2 minutes, give the mussels a stir, then replace lid and continue cooking until all mussels have opened, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Paint cut sides of the baguette pieces with oil and place cut side up under broiler to toast. Rub toasts with the remaining garlic cloves.
• Stir the chopped parsley into the mussels, then ladle mussels and broth into bowls. Serve with the garlic toasts.

SIMPLE STEAMED MUSSELS

Steps:

• Place a cast-iron enameled Dutch oven over high heat and add the olive oil. Add the onions, garlic and butter and briefly cook until the onion softens, 2 to 3 minutes, then stir in the chili flakes. Add the mussels, Chardonnay and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until all of the mussels have opened, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the lid then add the parsley.
• Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Brush the bread slices with olive oil on both sides. Grill until toasted on both sides, 30 seconds per side.
• Serve the mussels with a rustic piece of grilled bread.

ALE-STEAMED MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND MUSTARD

Steps:

• Rinse mussels under cold running water. If you see hairy clumps around the shell (called beards), use a sharp knife or your fingers to pull them off, then scrub shells well with a vegetable brush.
• In a soup pot with a tight-fitting cover, heat olive oil, then add thyme, garlic, shallots and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté until shallots and garlic are softened, 3 minutes. Pour in ale and bring to a simmer. Add mussels and cover pot. Let mussels steam, stirring once or twice, until they open, 5 to 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer mussels to bowls. Discard any that have not opened.
• Add butter, herbs and mustard to pan juices and bring to a boil. Whisk until butter melts, then taste and correct seasonings (add more butter if liquid tastes bitter). Pour over mussels and serve with bread for sopping up juices.

MARINARA-STYLE MUSSELS

Steps:

• Put the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. When it's hot, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the paprika and cook for just a few seconds, then add the flour and some salt and pepper and stir until smooth. Slowly pour in 2 cups water, stirring constantly to form a smooth sauce. Adjust the heat so the mixture bubbles gently; cook until the sauce is thick, about 8 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the parsley.
• Add the mussels and cover the skillet. Cook until all (or nearly all) the mussels are open, about 5 minutes. (Discard any mussels that do not open.) Garnish with the remaining 2 tablespoons parsley and serve immediately.

ENRIQUE RIGGS'S MUSSELS SUPREME

Steps:

• Wash mussels to eliminate sand. Remove beards with sharp knife.
• In a 10-quart pot (large enough to hold mussels) put 1 1/2 cups of water. Add mussels and steam until fully opened, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix all remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to boil.
• When mussels open fully, add mixture and let stand for 10 minutes. Serve with crusty French or Italian bread.