Mussels Alla Marinara: A Taste of Perfection
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes
Recipe Category: Low Cholesterol
Description: Mussels Alla Marinara is a delightful seafood dish that brings together tender mussels and a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. After many attempts at perfecting this recipe, I’ve crafted one that closely resembles the mussels I’ve enjoyed in restaurants across various states and countries. This recipe is not only a delicious choice but also fits well within a low-cholesterol diet.
Keywords: Healthy, < 30 Mins
Ingredients
- 2 pounds mussels (fresh, cleaned)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 medium onions (finely chopped)
- 1 tablespoon garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 large carrot (diced)
- 2/3 cup dry white wine
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
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Prepare the Base: In a large frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced carrots. Sauté these vegetables gently, cooking for about 5 minutes, ensuring they become tender but do not take on too much color. This will create a flavorful base for your marinara sauce.
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Create the Sauce: Pour in the dry white wine, then add the bay leaf and dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the tomato paste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for another 5 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Tip: You can prepare this sauce ahead of time. Just bring it back to a boil when you’re ready to cook the mussels.
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Clean the Mussels: While the sauce is simmering, clean the mussels under cold running water. Discard any mussels that are open and do not close when tapped—these are dead and should be thrown away. Also, discard any mussels that do not open after cooking.
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Cook the Mussels: Add the cleaned mussels to the boiling sauce. Cover the pan and let the mussels cook for about 4 minutes, or until all the mussels have opened. This is a quick process, so keep an eye on them.
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Serve: Arrange 12 mussels per person on individual plates. Spoon the sauce generously over the mussels, and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a touch of color and flavor. For an authentic touch, serve with crusty French or Italian bread. If you wish, warm your plates in an oven set to 180°F to keep everything hot.
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Optional: Place an empty dish in the center of the table for discarded shells. This ensures a clean and enjoyable dining experience.
Serving Suggestion: Mussels Alla Marinara pairs perfectly with a crisp white wine and a side of garlic bread. It’s an elegant and satisfying meal that is sure to impress your guests or simply bring a touch of restaurant-quality dining to your home.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 345.9
- Fat Content: 11.1 grams
- Saturated Fat Content: 4.7 grams
- Cholesterol Content: 78.9 milligrams
- Sodium Content: 955.2 milligrams
- Carbohydrate Content: 22 grams
- Fiber Content: 2.5 grams
- Sugar Content: 6.8 grams
- Protein Content: 28.7 grams
Enjoy this recipe and let the flavors transport you to a coastal paradise with every bite! 🌊🦪🍅
