STEAMED MUSSELS WITH BACON

 

WHAT YOU NEED:

  • 1/4 pound thick-sliced lean smoked bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
  • 1 large jalapeño, thinly sliced crosswise with seeds
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 pound plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 3 1/2 pounds medium mussels, scrubbed and debearded
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • Crusty bread, for serving
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:
Step 1    

In a large enamelled cast-iron casserole, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. Add the shallots and jalapeño, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes. Add the wine and ketchup and simmer until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Increase the heat to high and add the mussels. Cover and cook, shaking the pan a few times, until the mussels open, about 5 minutes.

Step 2    

With a slotted spoon, transfer the mussels to 4 large, shallow serving bowls. Remove the casserole from the heat and stir in the lime juice, butter and cilantro. Ladle the sauce over the mussels and serve at once with bread.

November 15, 2017 — GEORGE ALLAN