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succulent mussels with white wine, smoked garlic and parsley butter and thyme
a perfect starter, tapas or lunch snack
It doesn’t get easier and quicker to make these delicious mussels that are big on taste and big on the ‘wow’ factor.
I took a packet of frozen half shelled mussels purchased from the fish shop in Hout bay (aprox 400gms). Heat about 1/2 to a cup of white wine in a big pot and toss the frozen mussels directly in. Bring to the boil and steam them with the lid on for a few minutes.
If your mussels are still in the shell, they would steam open at this stage.
Remove the lid and add about 40gms of smoked garlic butter with parsley (which is a new product we are making at The Smoking Shed) and allow to mix with the wine. Sprinkle over a small handful of thyme leaves removed from the stalks and allow the sauce to reduce and thicken a little. Or not, it doesn’t really matter.
Empty the shells into a large bowl and pour over the sauce.
Serve with some crusty bread to dip and soak up the juices.
You may have noticed the very beautiful bowl that these mussels are presented in.
You may also recognise it as the very distinctive ‘Wonki Ware’, by Di Marshall.
As a food stylist I am on the constant look out for crockery that makes food shine and look beautiful, and Wonki Ware always does just that.
I buy it from the fabulous shop ‘Blink’ which is located at 71 Regent Street, Sea Point (directly opposite Checkers and diagonally across from La Mouette). Blink carry a big range as well as other wonderful wooden pieces, jewellery, hand knitted childrens toys and other beautiful things.
mussels in my favourite new wonki ware bowl
succulent, buttery and packed with flavour
PS: sorry I got a bit carried away with the number of images in the post (as I do), I just love the look of mussels and I love my new bowl.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
No need to apologise for the images, they are droolworthy!! Did you use the smoked butter to!!
this looks absolutely sublime! Dave collected mussels off the beach a while back and it was such a great treat
Mussels are my favorite simple, elegant and delicious dish to make. Love the looks of yours. And I love pics so the more the better!
Oh Wow… What beautiful mussels! I can almost taste them
Oh these mussels look Fan-Damn-Taskick! My mouth is WATERING!
Thanks Nina, I used the smoked butter with garlic and parsley which is something we have added to the smoked butter range.
what are some of the favorite wines enjoyed with these (and other) mussel dishes? I am especially interested with pairing where the smoked flavors are used.
Thanks so much….they look so delicious.
Hi Jim, great question and one which we will be exploring further with a few experts ‘what are the best wines to go with smoked foods?’. For these mussels a nice crisp savignon blanc would work really. My gut feeling would be an unwooded white, one that was firm with nice acidity. Its a great idea for a post. Thank you.
sam
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