Peggy Knickerbockers Mussel And Potato Salad Recipes

MUSSEL AND POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place the mussels in a large bowl, cover them with cold water, and rub them against one another to scrape off any residue. Transfer them to another bowl of cold water. Repeat the washing and transferring procedure until there is no evidence of grit or debris.
• Place the mussels in a large pot, and add the wine and 1 cup of water. Cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Toss the mussels lightly in the pan to reposition them, and cook them for 2 to 3 minutes longer, covered, to allow the mussels to open. Remove those that are open and place them in a bowl while you continue to boil the unopened mussels for 1 to 2 minutes longer to give them another chance to open. Discard any mussels that have not opened at this point. Cooking the mussels, from start to finish, should not take more than 12 to 15 minutes.)
• When the mussels are cool enough to handle, remove them from their shells and discard any of the "beard" that is attached to them. (It resembles dry seaweed.) Place the mussels in a bowl large enough to hold the finished dish.
• Meanwhile, wash the potatoes, place in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring the water to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low, and boil the potatoes gently, uncovered, until tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Drain, and set them aside until they are cool enough to handle.
• Let the mussel stock settle in the pan for a few minutes, and then pour it slowly into a bowl, leaving behind any sediment. There should be about 4 cups. Add enough water to bring the yield to 6 cups, and reserve for use in the mussel and tomato soup.
• Peel the lukewarm potatoes, and cut them into 1/4-inch slices. Add them to the mussels along with the scallions and garlic. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, mustard, vinegar and oil, and add to the potatoes and mussels. Toss gently to mix.
• Arrange the salad greens on six plates, and spoon the salad onto the greens, dividing it evenly among the plates. Serve at room temperature.

PEGGY KNICKERBOCKER'S MUSSEL AND POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large pot, and add enough lightly salted water to cover them by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, and boil gently, uncovered, until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, and cut in halves or quarters. Keep warm in a large bowl.
• In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon of oil. Add garlic, and saute for 2 minutes. Add wine, and bring to a rolling boil. Add mussels and herbes de Provence. Turn the heat down slightly, cover and cook just until mussels open, 3 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the mussels to a bowl. Discard any that did not open.
• Line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth, and strain juices into a small bowl. Return juices to the pan, and place over medium-low heat. Simmer until juices are reduced by half. Remove from heat, and whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons oil.
• Reserve 6 mussels in the shell, and shell the rest. Toss the shelled mussels with the potatoes and reduced pan juices. Sprinkle with the parsley or chervil, chives and pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange the reserved mussels on top. Serve warm.

GRILLED MUSSEL AND POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cover potatoes with salted water by 1 inch in a large saucepan, then simmer, uncovered, until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until cool.
• Prepare grill for cooking.
• Cut cooled potatoes crosswise into thirds and arrange in 1 layer on a tray. Brush both sides of potatoes with some oil (2 tablespoons total for all of them) and season with salt and pepper.
• When fire is medium-hot (you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack 3 to 4 seconds), grill potatoes on lightly oiled rack until grill marks form, about 1 minute on each side, then transfer to a large bowl. Toss hot potatoes with 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
• Put mussels in aluminum pan and cook in covered grill, stirring occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes, or until they just open. Transfer mussels to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Discard any that haven't opened, then shuck remainder.
• Add mussels to potatoes along with fennel, parsley, olives, capers, and remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice, tossing to combine, then let stand at room temperature, tossing occasionally, 10 minutes.
• Toss salad with remaining oil and salt and pepper to taste.

MUSSELS WITH POTATOES AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large microwave-safe bowl and cover with water by about 1/4 inch. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until just tender, about 6 minutes; drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft and golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the potatoes, paprika, allspice, cayenne and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; stir until the potatoes are coated with the spices and begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 1 cup water and the tomatoes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the mussels, olives and parsley. Cover and cook until the mussels open, 4 to 5 minutes. (Discard any that do not open.)