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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  1. c
    02.11.2013

    I love a good bowl of udon with a deep, hot broth… Perfect thing for a grey day. A Japanese restaurant near where I grew up made the most amazing udon… cheapest thing on the menu and it was huge and full of wonderful things I didn’t know the names of- burdock and konnyaku and lotus root.

  2. Mabel from mdcooksfor2.blogspot.com
    02.11.2013

    I love a good bowl of hot steaming pho on a cold day, or when I feel blah. Definitely wakes me up! Especially adding all those jalapeno slices.

  3. Rachael
    02.11.2013

    I’m on the hunt for a good tofu bibimbap recipe – definitely a favorite asian dish! Pho and goi rolls too – I haven’t mastered making pho at home yet, but the Vietnamese spring rolls are a favorite at home!

  4. CG
    02.11.2013

    A green papaya salad is always a success. As are ramen in cold soy and dashi with grilled asparagus, shrimps, raw carrots, and a little grated ginger. Yummy.

  5. Sherry Ann
    02.11.2013

    Hot & Sour Soup with tofu. The soup that has cocoanut milk in it. I don’t have a recipe for this though and would LOVE it if you would share one! Or, make up a recipe for this deliciousness! Your recipes are so delicious and healthy! Thank you for sharing and with photos as well!

  6. Meike
    02.11.2013

    I just love plain rice with a little soy sauce and sesame oil.

  7. Lori Cochran
    02.11.2013

    Had to read this, my son loves mussels and I too have never made them. I think you may have helped me over the hump. Oh, spring rolls with sweet hot sauce and Wongs Egg Rolls in helena, mt are the best!

  8. Heather from squirrelbread.wordpress.com
    02.11.2013

    It’s a tie between green papaya salad and beef pho.

  9. Caitlin
    02.11.2013

    I love a good Vietnamese noodle bowl. Mmm – and if I’m feeling crazy I get tofu, chicken (sorry veg heads), AND egg roll on it. I load it up with more mint, tomatoes, lettuce, and sprout and make it the meal of the century. So good!

  10. megan from passportsandpancakes.com
    02.11.2013

    Wow, these mussels look so easy and delicious. All of those recipes from the cookbook would be so fun to try! My favorite Asian dish is any type of curry… I am addicted!

  11. Katie
    02.11.2013

    There’s a lot I like, but I tend to really go for the stuff that seemingly can’t be made at home. How do restaurants get tofu so crispy delicious? Or udon – I love the variety you get in a good bowl. It would be fun to see Ms. Hair’s take on at home Asian.

    • Caitlin
      02.11.2013

      Not sure if you’ll see this – but tofu is best when it’s dry-fried! You have to have a nice non-stick pan at home but if you press your tofu right and slap it on a medium heated pan it’ll un-stick when it’s ready to flip!

      • Katie
        02.11.2013

        As in no oil for frying? I’ll definitely have to try that. So far baking, just-shy-of-smoking oil, or even a little shake in corn starch before going in the pan (the internet suggested that at some point) haven’t gotten it close to my favorite restaurant. Thanks for the tip!

  12. My favorite asian dish is tom yum soup. SOOO good!

  13. Jessica C
    02.11.2013

    Hands down favorite is black bean crab.

  14. Kathryn
    02.11.2013

    Tom Ka soup is just about my favorite thing on the planet.

  15. CJ
    02.11.2013

    OH… too many to mention! Ramen, of course… Anything Dumplings….mussels with coconut milk, garlic, ginger, lemongrass… my mouth is watering!

  16. Katie from katiethisdell.wordpress.com
    02.11.2013

    Thai noodles with a spicy peanut butter sauce and veggies 🙂

  17. Jess Murphy from nowheretogobuteverywhere.tumblr.com
    02.11.2013

    This book looks great! My favourite asian dish is Sang choy bow, especially with some homemade kimchi!

  18. Alexandra
    02.11.2013

    I absolutely love sushi!!! Anything with salmon is my weakness. Yummy mussel recipe- delicious and easy!

  19. Ali W.
    02.11.2013

    I LOVE gyoza, but noodles are now becoming a favorite of mine too! I’m a big fan on Steamy Kitchen and would love this cookbook.

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.