Mussel Soup With Avocado, Tomato, and Dill

Submitted by Dr. Jenny

"From Gourmet March 2007. According to the recipe description, "This soup was inspired by a meal at the Copenhagen microbrewery Nørrebro Bryghus.""

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 12
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs leeks, quartered lengthwise, then sliced crosswise (3 medium, white and pale green parts only)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme (3-inch)
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle lager beer
• 1 1⁄2 cups water
• 3 lbs mussels, scrubbed well and beards removed if attached (preferably cultivated)
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon coarsely ground white pepper
• 1 (8 ounce) firm-ripe avocados
• 18 very small grape tomatoes, halved (1/4 pound)
• 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh dill

directions

1. Wash leeks in a bowl of cold water, agitating them, then lift out leeks and pat dry.
2. Cook leeks in butter in a wide 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add thyme and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in beer and water, then increase heat to moderately high and bring to a boil. Add mussels and return liquid to a boil, partially covered. Cook, completely covered, stirring occasionally, just until mussels open wide, checking frequently after 4 minutes and transferring to a large bowl. (Discard any mussels that remain unopened after 8 minutes.).
3. Working over a bowl, remove mussels from shells and put in bowl (discard shells along with any clinging leeks). Pour any cooking liquid accumulated in bowl back into pot.
4. Pour cooking liquid through a sieve lined with a double layer of cheesecloth or dampened paper towels into a 2-quart heavy saucepan. Stir in half-and-half, salt, and white pepper, then heat over moderately low heat until hot (do not let boil). Stir in mussels and heat until just warmed through.
5. Meanwhile, halve avocado, then peel 1 half (wrap remaining half tightly in plastic wrap and reserve for another use). Cut into 1/2-inch cubes, then toss gently with tomatoes and dill in a bowl.
6. Divide soup among 6 shallow bowls and spoon some avocado mixture into each. Serve immediately.
7. It should be noted that the soup, without half and half, can be made 1 day ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled (with shelled mussels in soup), covered. Remove mussels and reheat soup over moderately low heat before adding half-and-half and then proceeding with recipe.

Reviews

[mersaydees]

What a great soup! Love the leeks, dill, mussels, avocado, and tomato. This made quite a nice lunch today. Thanks, Dr. Jenny! Made for ZWT9 - team Gourmet Goddesses.