Mussels In Parchment Recipes

THE ULTIMATE SALMON IN PARCHMENT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 2 sheet trays in oven to warm.
• To make the curry butter: Combine ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth.
• To prepare the Salmon and Mussels: Begin by making a seasoning with fennel and coriander seed and salt and pepper. Pound spices in a mortar and pestle, or grind with a coffee grinder, until you have a rough powder.
• In a large mixing bowl combine couscous, cilantro, lemon zest and half the spice mix. Stir well to combine, drizzle with olive oil, then divide evenly among 4 large pieces of parchment (big enough to create a folded pocket for the salmon). Nestle into the couscous 1 frozen chicken stock cube for each portion. Top with the piece of salmon and then sprinkle with remaining spice mix. Squeeze lemon juice over the top of each piece of fish and couscous then set 4 mussels around the fish in each packet. Fold over the parchment to create a pocket and trim paper to make a heart shape. Crimp over the edges, working from one end to the other to secure the paper tightly then brush with olive oil so the paper doesn't burn. Carefully transfer the parchment pockets to the hot sheet trays (you will probably need to put 2 per tray) then bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
• When done, the paper will puff up. Cut open tableside with scissors, top with curry butter, and shower with fresh chopped scallions and cilantro.

SUNNY'S EASY MUSSELS AND SHRIMP PAELLA POUCHES

Steps:

• For the seafood: Combine the olive oil, paprika, garlic, lemon zest, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a small bowl. Combine the frozen mussels and shrimp (still frozen) in a large bowl and drizzle the mixture over the top. Toss the seafood to evenly coat.
• For the pouches: Lay four 16- to 20-inch-long pieces of nonstick aluminum foil out on a flat surface and top each one with a piece of parchment paper the same size. Divide the ingredients equally amongst each pouch, starting with the onions in the center of each in a 3-by-5-inch rectangle. Top the onions with the tomato halves, a pinch of salt, rice, peas, then seafood. To close, pull the long sides up over the mixture to meet and fold down together leaving some room for steam (about an inch above your pile), then close the short ends and fold upwards for easy opening.
• Set the oven or grill to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the pouches on a baking sheet if using the oven, just in case you have a tiny spill. Bake or place the pouches over the indirect heat and cook for 25 minutes. Remove one and open gently; if the mussels are not open and the shrimp are still a bit underdone, close and continue to cook for 5 more minutes. Remove the pouches, and, when cool enough to handle, open and spritz with lemon and garnish with parsley.

MUSSELS MOORINGS STYLE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the onion, bay leaf, garlic, carrot, fish stock, and wine. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 5 minutes to soften the carrot and onion.
• Add the mussels to the boiling mixture, cover, and cook over high heat until the mussels open, about 5 minutes. Shake the pan occasionally to help them cook evenly.
• As soon as the mussels have opened, remove them with a slotted spoon and set aside. Remove the bay leaf from the broth, and stir in the heavy cream. Heat through, but do not boil. Taste, and season with salt and pepper. Salt may not be necessary depending on the saltiness of your fish stock.
• Place mussels into serving dishes, and spoon broth over them to serve.

MUSSELS IN TOMATO-PARSLEY SAUCE BAKED IN PARCHMENT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut a sheet of parchment paper to measure 15 by 24 inches. Fold in half horizontally, and crease. Make a 1-inch fold on one open side; fold over again. Press firmly to seal. Repeat on opposite side to form a large pocket.
• Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl. Place parchment pocket in a roasting pan. Holding pocket up, pour in mussel mixture. Seal top by making a 1-inch fold. Fold over again; press firmly to seal. Lay pocket flat in pan.
• Bake mussels 20 minutes; all mussels should be open (discard any that remain closed). Serve immediately, opening packet at the table.

MUSSELS IN PARCHMENT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut out six 14 x 14-inch pieces of parchment or foil. Fold parchment in half; cut into half-heart shape. Unfold hearts and place on work surface; brush parchment with oil. Spoon 2 tablespoons tomatoes, 1 tablespoon leek, 1 tablespoon cilantro and 1 teaspoon ginger onto 1 half of each heart. Drizzle 1 tablespoon wine over each. Arrange 6 mussels atop vegetable mixture. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over mussels.
• Fold up parchment packages, sealing edges and using paper clips to fasten, if necessary. Place on baking sheet. Bake packages 10 minutes. Transfer to plates; allow diners to open packages.