Portuguese Mussels in Garlic Sauce Recipe

The key to this delicious Portuguese style dish is a hot red pepper paste called Pimenta Moida.

Preparation time	25 min
Cooking Time	30 min
Ready In	55 min
Level of Difficulty	Easy
Servings	3

Ingredients

2 pounds fresh mussels, see below for preparation.2 tablespoons butter2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil¼ cup shallots, chopped small3 tablespoons fresh garlic, coarsely chopped1 tablespoon Pimenta Moida, jarred crushed hot peppers2 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced smallZest from half a lemon1 tablespoon fresh thyme2 tablespoons fresh parsley minced, dividedJuice from half a lemon½ cup white wine, preferably Riesling8 ounce bottle clam juice¼ cup heavy cream2 tablespoons butterPortuguese bread, sliced and toastedGarlic clove to rub on toasted bread Get Portuguese ingredients

Instructions

To prepare mussels, scrub shells with a soft brush to remove any barnacles or scale. De-beard by pulling on the “beard” that protrudes from some of the shells and twist back and forth to remove. Do all of this while running under cold water. Any shells that stay open, discard. Keep mussels refrigerated until ready to use.
In a large sauté pan or skillet, melt butter and oil over medium heat and add shallots and cook for two minutes.
Add garlic, hot peppers, plum tomatoes, lemon zest, thyme and one tablespoon of parsley. Cook for five minutes.
Add lemon juice and stir mixture.
Add wine and cook for two minutes to reduce liquid by half.
Add clam juice, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for five minutes.
Increase heat to medium high, add mussels, cover and cook for two to three minutes or until mussels open.
Remove from heat and remove mussels to a serving bowl using a spider or strainer, leaving liquid and solids behind in the pan.
Return the pan to the heat and add cream and cook over medium high for two minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in the two tablespoons of butter.
Pour this mixture over the mussels and sprinkle the remaining parsley over the finished dish.
Serve hot with toasted Portuguese bread slices that have been rubbed with garlic.
Discard any mussels that do not open.