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.

 

147 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it):  

  1. lynn
    02.11.2013

    Can’t think of anything I don’t like.
    Prefer novel combinations of ingredients that spur my imagination.

  2. Natalie
    02.11.2013

    I ALWAYS love fresh vegetable spring rolls with peanut dipping sauce – so clean and yummy!

  3. chelsea
    02.11.2013

    vietnamese pho, hands down

  4. Katy Penrod
    02.11.2013

    Crispy tofu and miso soup!

  5. clare
    02.11.2013

    I think this dish might be my favorite asian meal! I’ve got to try it. But also love bibimbap. So easy to make!

  6. Rachel
    02.11.2013

    I love ramen, bibimbap, and banh mi sandwiches. Yum!

  7. Anne from thehillsarealiveblog.com
    02.11.2013

    Fresh spring rolls are my favorite! These mussels look divine!

  8. Stacy from stacyyoshioka.com
    02.11.2013

    I’m a HUGE fan of good miso soup. My Japanese grandma used to call it the chicken noodle soup of the Japanese culture. My American grandma actually agreed with her. I have started making a hybrid of the two when ever my husband or I come down with a cold. Perfect marriage of East meets West!

  9. Laura
    02.11.2013

    I loge kimchi fried rice with a poached or fried egg on top. Best Sunday brunch dish with a bloody mary.

  10. Gail
    02.11.2013

    Fresh Rolls filled w/mint/basil & delicate vegies in a diiping sauce and love a good curry also

  11. Autumn
    02.11.2013

    Great recipe! That cookbook looks fantastic! I’ve never made muscles at home either but I will try this for sure!!

  12. Rachel from rachelphipps.com
    02.11.2013

    My favourite is chicken noodle soup with as much ginger and fish sauce packed into it as possible without ruining the other flavours!

  13. i would love this cookbook! i love a good spicy asian dish – like potstickers or stir-fry. i’ve never tried mussels at home. lovely presentation.

  14. Julia
    02.11.2013

    Our favorite Asian dish just became this AMAZINGGGG coconut soup Sarah just posted over at My New Roots. Our favorites change with the seasons though! I think we may try this for V-day though. So chic!

  15. Caitlin from theveganchickpea.com
    02.11.2013

    i love edamame and vegetable rolls when i eat at japanese restaurants; som tom salad and massaman curry at thai restaurants; and steamed brown rice, vegetables, and chinese eggplant at chinese restaurants!

  16. Melissa
    02.11.2013

    Kimchi is my favorite!

  17. Natasha from tartletsweets.blogspot.com
    02.11.2013

    I love how easy mussels are too! We typically make them with a spicy lemongrass broth, and they are delicious.

  18. Ooh, that tofu dish sounds delicious. I made homemade ponzu sauce a few months ago which wiped me clean of a same, which I sadly have yet to replenish.

  19. jackie
    02.11.2013

    I love a good bahn mi sandwich. And spring rolls! And bok choy! The list goes on…

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
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.