Mussels With Chorizo , Tomato and Wine

Expat in Holland's Note:

This is an Emeril recipe that got rave reviews from my family. We love mussels, and here in Holland they are locally cultivated. So during the season we try to have them once a week. I try new recipes frequently to change the pace. This recipe is my husbands favorite and gets requested often. It has an amazing flavor. I have changed it a little to suit my family's taste from the original recipe. Have plenty of crusty bread, as the juice is oh sooooo good! This recipe serves either 2 meal portions or a first course for 4-6 people. Rule of thumb in Holland is to serve 1 kg of mussels per person, for a dinner portion.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 2

• 8 ounces chorizo sausage, casings removed & chopped
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 7 roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 3/4 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 4 lbs fresh mussels, scrubbed & debearded
• French bread

Directions:

1. In a large saute pan, cook the chorizo until brown over medium-high heat, about 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan.
2. Add butter and when melted, add the onions, shallot, fennel seeds, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until veggies are tender.
3. Add the garlic and tomatoes, and cook, stirring, for 2minute.
4. Add mussels to pan. Add the wine, 1/4 cup cream, and parsley, and bring to a boil. Stir mussels, cover, and cook until the shells have opened, about 6-8 minutes.
5. Remove mussels from pan to serving bowls. Discard any shells that do not open.
6. In pan with juice, bring to a boil. Allow to boil for 3 minutes. Add sausage and cream. Bring to boil for 1 minute. Pour juice over mussels.
7. Serve immediately with hot French bread for dipping.

Reviews

[Chef #880050]

I used Tarragon as I had no Fennel seeds & it had an awesome flavour

[Thorsten]

Mussels and Chorizo are a winning team. The shrapness of the sausage goes so well togehter with mussels. The sauce is to die for, so have enought bread for dipping up this delicate sauce. I followed the recipe as described here without any problems. I used a little less of heavy cream to get the thickness of the sauce I like. I served it with the white wine I used for cooking and baguette.

[IngridH]

This was great! The mussels were tender and juicy, and the broth was just to die for- we must have eaten half a loaf of bread, just to mop up the wonderful sauce :) The only change I would make next time would be to cut the mussel quantity in half, but keep the sauce amounts the same. 2 pounds of mussels were plenty for two greedy seafood lovers.