Sake-steamed Mussels

This is something sort of different for us. I’ve never cooked mussels before, but when I was choosing a recipe to make from Steamy Kitchen’s new book, I felt like trying something outside my comfort zone. I also knew Jack would never expect this, and I like to surprise him every now and then.

Surprise… mussels are so easy. 6 ingredients and about 5 minutes later we had perfectly steamed mussels in a fancy aromatic sake broth. I made some soba noodles to go along with them (and to soak up more of the broth – no sake goes to waste in our house).

Some other recipes from the book I’m excited to try are: sriracha sauce (as in – not from the bottle), blackened tofu with ginger ponzu-sauce, and the kimchi omelet.

the giveaway is now over


From Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites by Jaden Hair

sake-steamed mussels

 
Author:
Serves: serves 4 as an appetizer
Ingredients
  • 2 pounds fresh mussels
  • 11/2 cups sake or dry white wine
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 shallot, sliced into very thin rings
  • 1 handful fresh basil leaves
  • salt
Instructions
  1. Scrub the mussels under cool water, discarding any with broken or cracked shells.
  2. Heat a large sauté pan, deep soup pot, or wok over high heat with the sake, ginger, garlic, and shallots. When the mixture comes to a boil, add the mussels and cover. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the mussels open.
  3. Toss in the basil and serve immediately.

Reprinted with permission from Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites by Jaden Hair, copyright © 2013. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.

 

146 comments

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  1. Danielle
    02.12.2013

    I’m a big fan of dishes that end up in a bowl so soba noodles + {insert meat and/or vegetable} + spices + broth is my favorite!

  2. M.C.
    02.12.2013

    I love Thai curry, sushi, and anything korean- beef and kimchi! Mmmm. There are so many Asian foods I love, but I would love to have this cookbook to make more at home!!! Thanks for the giveaway!

  3. mijin
    02.12.2013

    i love any kind of prepared vegetable– i feel like asian cuisine does this so well! eggplant casserole, sauteed snow pea leaves, grilled king oyster mushrooms… yes please! 🙂

  4. I am not sure why mussels are so scary to contemplate cooking… because actually they are pretty easy to make… your recipe looks fab and I will be trying it soon…

    Favourite Asian… dare I admit… Bo Bun Nem and Pad Thai… 🙂 xv

  5. MaryB
    02.12.2013

    I love Hot and Sour Soup and spring rolls.

  6. molly
    02.12.2013

    having recently lived in koreatown in los angeles, i quickly became a fan of “sea plants salad”…so delish and fresh! bok choy kimchi is also lovely. ah, i miss you, k-town!

  7. Kenny
    02.12.2013

    i could eat beef ball soup (a thai dish I’ve been eating since childhood) every night of the week.

  8. ashley
    02.12.2013

    i absolutely love pad see ew! i would love to learn how to cook more asian dishes, thanks for the great giveaway!!

  9. Amy
    02.12.2013

    My fav Asian dish is my mother-in-laws simple steamed fish with sautéed Asian greens. Easy, quick and super delicious!

  10. Ellie from thebitchinkitchin.blogspot.com
    02.11.2013

    Oooh, I never thought of asian-themed mussels but that sounds tasty! My favorite asian dish is green curry over noodles. Always gets me every time 🙂

  11. Sameera
    02.11.2013

    It’s really hard to choose one dish. I have favorite Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese and Indian dish. Since we are talking of about mussels. Curried mussels is my favorite. It is very easy to make and is delicious with bread/ rice. I’m attaching the youtube link of the recipe

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz35PqL0p-I&sns=em

  12. Nicole
    02.11.2013

    Panang Curry! It’s also my mom’s favorite dish, so I always think of tasting hers as a child.

  13. Bianca
    02.11.2013

    I am SUCH a mussels fan, and will order them 9 times out of 10 whenever they’re on the menu. Have never had them sake steamed, however! Looks delicious!

    My favorite asian dish is definitely Hae Mool Tang: a spicy korean broth with seafood, tofu, and veggies, served in a sizzling hot stone pot!

  14. Karen
    02.11.2013

    My favorite is lots of vegetables, tofu and brown rice in a spicy garlic sauce. I love your recipes. There is a lot of variety and every one of the recipes I have tried has been delicious. Thank you for having this giveaway.

  15. Liisa
    02.11.2013

    Vietnamese is my favorite! Anything with fish sauce and rice noodles.

    Have always wanted to make mussels. May need to try this.

  16. Cali
    02.11.2013

    cold sesame noodles. when they’re good they’re so good. (unfortunately, when they’re bad they’re really offensive.)

  17. Lanka
    02.11.2013

    No way can I pick a favorite, so I will say that I made your spinach and soba noodle soup last night and it was outstanding. I felt it was missing something and then noticed the lime on my counter that I had purchased specifically for the recipe and somehow overlooked. I added that and it was perfection. Thank you for your wonderful recipes!

  18. Laura
    02.11.2013

    Love most any dish with thai basil as a dominant flavor! Also favor spicy curries and dishes with lots of garlic and chilies. This book has me intrigued – thanks for the giveaway! If I really must pick a favorite – probably homemade hot & sour soup or bean curd stuffed with spinach and chilies and covered in soy & scallion dumpling sauce.

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Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.