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mussels in sherry basil cream

May 6, 2019 by Lovoni | Leave a Comment

Mussels – the easiest seafood to cook at home. They require very little prep, other ingredients or time. Mussels in Sherry Basil Cream can be served as an appetizer in portioned bowls or plonk the whole pan down in the middle of the table & let everyone dig in, tearing off chunks of crusty bread to dip into the creamy, garlic sauce.

Jump to Recipe
mussels in sherry & basil cream

There are some points to note when cooking mussels & the first one is storage: if you’re not going to cook the mussels as soon as you get them home from the store then tumble them into a stainless or glass bowl, cover them a damp cloth & store them in the fridge – don’t place them in water.

mussels in sherry & basil cream

They can be stored like this for up to two days. When you’re ready to cook them, get the mussels & the rest of the ingredients prepped & ensure you have a large pan to cook them in – a wok or a deep frying pan works best – just make sure you have a lid. There are some points to note about mussels:

  • there are many different varieties of mussels – including fresh & salt water
  • generally, the black mussels are farmed
  • it’s thought the white-fleshed mussels are male & the orange-fleshed mussels are female, although this is is disputed
  • mussels can be baked, steamed, boiled, barbecued & fried
  • almost any flavor profile will complement mussels – French, Italian, Thai, Indian…Australian!
  • mussels are considered healthy – low in calories (about 145 per 3 oz); high in protein; low in carbs; low in fat & a good source of selenium, B12, zinc & folate
  • cultivated mussels can produce a pearl
  • before just you cook mussels, remove the beard, if there is one, that’s the hairy tentacle looking thing protruding from its shell; discard any broken shelled mussels & any that don’t close when you tap them before cooking – mussels are live (unless they’re frozen)
  • when cooked, the general rule is to discard any mussels that don’t open from a safety perspective but this has been proven to be false, you can try to open any that aren’t open or throw them if this proves too difficult
  • to eat a mussel still in its shell – prize it open & use the half of the shell without the mussel on it to dislodge it from the muscle holding it onto the shell, then scoop up some of the sauce & suck it off the shell
  • in the northern hemisphere a general ‘rule’ is to not eat mussels without the letter ‘r’ in the month – for safety reasons & because of spawning – but this depends where they’re from (colder waters of Canada versus the warm Florida waters). May is perfectly okay time of year to enjoy them
  • mussels take about two years to grow to edible size & can, apparently, live up to 50 years
mussels in sherry & basil cream
mussels in sherry & basil cream

Regardless of your kitchen prowess this is a simple recipe. With only a few ingredients – butter, onion, garlic, chili paste, dry sherry, basil & cream – Mussels in Sherry & Basil Cream, is prepped & ready to eat in 20 minutes. Fill the wine glasses, pop the pan down on a trivet (of some kind) in the middle of the of the table, break bread & enjoy. Cheers, Lovoni

mussels in sherry basil cream
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mussels in sherry & basil cream

When buying mussels, look for ones that are closed, or ones that close when you touch them, this means they’re still alive. If you aren’t using them on the day of purchase, place them in a glass or stainless bowl, cover them with a damp clean tea towel & store in the fridge. Sambal oelek (chili paste) is available in grocery stores and in Asian markets.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time20 mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Australian
Author: Lovoni

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 large white onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • pinch salt & freshly ground pepper
  • 1 cup dry sherry
  • 1 tablespoon sambal oelek chili paste, add more to suit your taste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves, cut chiffonade (finely shredded) plus extra for garnish
  • 3 lbs live mussels, cleaned & beards removed (1.5kg)
  • crusty bread to serve

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a wok or large deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, salt & pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes or until the onion is softened.
  • Add the wine & sambal. Increase the head to medium-high & boil gently, uncovered, for 2 to 3 minutes or until the mixture has reduced by about half. Add the cream & half the basil; bring to a simmer.
  • Add the mussels & stir. Cook, covered, for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring twice during cooking, or until the mussels are opened & tender. Do not overcook; discard any unopened mussels.
  • Stir in the remaining basil. Serve immediately garnished with extra basil & crusty bread .

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Filed Under: Appetizers, Cookery know-how, Entertaining, Fast & Fresh, featured, Fish & Seafood, Food for sharing, Low-carb, Under 500 Calories Tagged With: creamy mussels, how to cook mussels, mussels

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Well hello there…

I’m Lovoni – food stylist, cookbook author, once-upon-a-time TV cooking show host, food photographer, gypsy & serial dieter. Really, I’m just greedy with a passion for good food, made right. I believe wholesome food is something to take pleasure in without guilt. I love simple living, whimsy & adventures.

 

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#soupweather #freshhunger #getcozy #potatoes #loadedbakedpotato #lovepotatoes #soupweather #whatsforlunch #onmytable #inmykitchen #broccoli
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I purged many of my cookbooks recently. I’m replacing some with cookbooks I want to cook from and will make a point of using. Beth from @oldetymemarketplace along with @downshilohroad & @myrustichouse have started a fun hashtag to encourage us to make & share recipes from our cookbooks #friendswhocookwithabook 
It’d be such fun if you joined along. I know we all have those cookbooks that sit collecting dust. Well time to use them or pitch them. Or treat yourself & buy some new ones. Finding recipes online is convenient but never the same as holding a gorgeous cookbook in your hands. 
If like me you love mustard I urge you to try this mustard recipe. It’s divine. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/12/finnish-mustard/

.
.
.
#mustard #madefromscratch #hotmustard #colmansmustard #colmans #condiment #onmytable #inmykitchen #freshhunger #lovoni #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodstylist #cookbookauthor #recipewriter #foodphotographer
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Meanwhile, here’s the recipe for this yummy & really easy to make dessert. 

https://freshhunger.com/2020/11/21/quick-and-easy-tiramisu/

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.
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.
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#foodstyling #foodstylist #foodstyingtips #whippedcream #swirls #chocolate #tiramisu #desserts #creamy #creamydessert #onmytable #inmykitchen #lovoni #freshhunger
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https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/08/slow-cooked-miso-beef-with-noodles/
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#miso #slowcooker #slowfood #beef #beefstew #beefbroth #lomein #noodles #slurp #freshhunger #lovoni  #wholesome #shiitake #bokchoy #onmytable
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Here’s the link to this vibrant recipe. I really enjoyed it for dinner last night & last week. Serve it up with some steamed jasmine rice. So good.

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/06/sweet-chili-miso-salmon/
.
.
.
.
.
#freshstart #freshhunger #freshveggies #salmon #miso #chilisauce #wholesome #vibrant #dietsdontwork #stopdieting #onmytable #inmykitchen
Armenian Nutmeg Cake might not be a looker but don Armenian Nutmeg Cake might not be a looker but don’t be fooled, this cake is divine. A brown sugar shortbread like base with a buttery soft, cake crumbly topping.  It’s been one of my most favorite cakes since I can remember.  New on Fresh Hunger today. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/16/armenian-nutmeg-cake/
.
.
.
#freshhunger #lovoni #armeniannutmegcake #nutmeg #spice #instabaking #baking #onmytable #inmykitchen #baking #buttery #delicious
Broccoli and Loaded Potato Soup - new recipe on Fr Broccoli and Loaded Potato Soup - new recipe on Fresh Hunger today.  Creamy & hearty and certain to chase away at least some of those winter chills. Cozy up with a bowl & a good book for a perfect lunch. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/13/broccoli-and-loaded-potato-soup/
.
.
.
.
.
#soupweather #freshhunger #getcozy #potatoes #loadedbakedpotato #lovepotatoes #soupweather #whatsforlunch #onmytable #inmykitchen #broccoli
Finnish Mustard - move over every other mustard I’ve ever loved, this is my new favourite. The recipe is an adaptation of @tessakiros from #fallingcloudberries a cookbook I highly recommend. If a mustard can be decadent then this is it. It’s also so simple to make. 
I purged many of my cookbooks recently. I’m replacing some with cookbooks I want to cook from and will make a point of using. Beth from @oldetymemarketplace along with @downshilohroad & @myrustichouse have started a fun hashtag to encourage us to make & share recipes from our cookbooks #friendswhocookwithabook 
It’d be such fun if you joined along. I know we all have those cookbooks that sit collecting dust. Well time to use them or pitch them. Or treat yourself & buy some new ones. Finding recipes online is convenient but never the same as holding a gorgeous cookbook in your hands. 
If like me you love mustard I urge you to try this mustard recipe. It’s divine. 

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/12/finnish-mustard/

.
.
.
#mustard #madefromscratch #hotmustard #colmansmustard #colmans #condiment #onmytable #inmykitchen #freshhunger #lovoni #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodstylist #cookbookauthor #recipewriter #foodphotographer
QUICK & EASY TIRAMISU - a quick word to anyone who QUICK & EASY TIRAMISU - a quick word to anyone who has to add whipped cream to a recipe that’s having its pic taken - never use canned cream. You know the shit in a can I’m talking about?! That stuff breaks down quickly & is total crap. You need to whip the cream yourself and, you need to stabilize it with some powdered sugar. And don’t over whip the cream. Whip 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream in a cold bowl until it’s starting to thicken, add about 1/3 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar, whip until soft peaks form & then you can make great swirls, dollops or pipe it & it’ll behave & stay looking good to have its pic taken. Perfect swirls & dollops = pretty pics. 

Meanwhile, here’s the recipe for this yummy & really easy to make dessert. 

https://freshhunger.com/2020/11/21/quick-and-easy-tiramisu/

.
.
.
.
.
#foodstyling #foodstylist #foodstyingtips #whippedcream #swirls #chocolate #tiramisu #desserts #creamy #creamydessert #onmytable #inmykitchen #lovoni #freshhunger
SLOW COOKED MISO BEEF WITH NOODLES - okay so I’v SLOW COOKED MISO BEEF WITH NOODLES - okay so I’ve had a bit of a run on miso this week. I have a LOT of it in the fridge. This recipe is so easy, only a handful of ingredients and the slow cooker does almost all the work for you.  I do love a good noodle slurping session & this recipe is perfect for it. Here’s the recipe link or click on the link in my bio.

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/08/slow-cooked-miso-beef-with-noodles/
~
Happy Friday. Stay warm xo 😘 
.
.
.
#miso #slowcooker #slowfood #beef #beefstew #beefbroth #lomein #noodles #slurp #freshhunger #lovoni  #wholesome #shiitake #bokchoy #onmytable
SWEET CHILI MISO SALMON & STIR-FRIED VEGGIES - who SWEET CHILI MISO SALMON & STIR-FRIED VEGGIES - who made new year’s resolution to go on a diet? God I’ve been on so many bloody diets. They work of course, as long as one stays on diet of choice. Kudos to those who do. As a mere mortal & coupled with my recipe testing, writing, styling & such I can’t, nor do I want to, eliminate whole food groups from my diet. I fail miserably at it. Then I beat myself up. And the vicious cycle goes around & around. My health - physical & mental & business are my main focuses this year. Diets are kicked to the curb along with negative self-talk. Enough already.  Wholesome foods, moving my body with exercise that makes me happy & I want to do is key. Who else feels the same? 
Here’s the link to this vibrant recipe. I really enjoyed it for dinner last night & last week. Serve it up with some steamed jasmine rice. So good.

https://freshhunger.com/2021/01/06/sweet-chili-miso-salmon/
.
.
.
.
.
#freshstart #freshhunger #freshveggies #salmon #miso #chilisauce #wholesome #vibrant #dietsdontwork #stopdieting #onmytable #inmykitchen

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