Top o’ the morning to you? Let’s get our Irish on with some steamed mussels in cider!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Irish food is amazing. Get thee out of the pubs and into the countryside to experience all the Emerald Isle has to offer and you’ll see that it’s all super fresh, farm or sea to table. The sea is where our focus lies today.
Years before Mom and I ventured to Ireland ourselves, I ventured there to…ehrm…celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. My friends and I had a lot of fun, and one of the things that really came out of that long weekend was a love of cider – on that has not since died. While back then I went for the sweetest varietal I could find, nowadays I’m more apt to go for the drier ones– and it’s that slant that I’m going for as my base for these steamed mussels.
I rarely make steamed mussels which frankly is a bit silly because:
they are easy
they are fast
they are healthy
they are delicious
they are best served with bread or French fries
Those are five good reasons right there!
Bacon- there’s another one. That’s where this party starts. Bacon and shallots start this dish and some fresh parsley finishes it. Truffle fries accompany it.
You’re done in less than thirty. Irish every dinner was so easy!
Pssst…these lamb shanks are also worthy of the day!
Cider Steamed Mussels
Steamed mussels in cider are a nod to the Emerald Isle,- fresh mussels cooked in hard cider with the hint of bacon and garnished with parsley.
Ingredients
- 1 pound mussels
- 1 shallot, diced (about ½ cup)
- 2 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 TB)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 bottle dry cider
- French fries, to serve
Directions
- Step 1 In a deep pot over medium-high heat, add the bacon and cook until the bits are crispy and the fat has mostly come out. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 TB in the bottom of the pan. Add the garlic and shallots and cook until soft, about five minutes.
- Step 2 Add the mussels and cider and cook for 6-8 minutes until the mussels have opened. Discard any that have not. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve alongside your favorite seasoned French fries.