A generous serving of glossy black-shelled mussels peeking out from a coral-pink broth, garnished with verdant cilantro leaves and bright red chili slices. Shared among four earthenware bowls, emitting an appetizing warmth.

Thai-infused Mussels in Coconut and Red Curry Broth

Name: Thai-infused Mussels in Coconut and Red Curry Broth
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: 2 lbs of mussels, 2 lbs cleaned and de-bearded; 2 cans of coconut milk (13.5 oz each), 2 cans (13.5 oz each); red curry paste, 2 tablespoons; lemongrass stalks, 2 stalks crushed; lime, 1 juice and zest; fish sauce, 2 tablespoons; brown sugar, 1 tablespoon; red chili, 1 sliced; cilantro, a handful chopped; garlic cloves, 4 cloves minced; onion, 1 finely chopped; vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon; salt, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 10 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Sauté

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily Recipe: October 04, 2023

This recipe takes classic mussels and gives them a spicy, warming twist that perfectly captures the fusion ideal. Combining sweetness from coconut milk, a kick from the red curry and the briny sea taste of mussels, this delicious main course is a flavor-delight.

Ingredients (for 4)

2 lbs of mussels - 2 lbs - cleaned and de-bearded
2 cans of coconut milk (13.5 oz each) - 2 cans (13.5 oz each)
Red curry paste - 2 tablespoons
Lemongrass stalks - 2 stalks - crushed
Lime - 1 - juice and zest
Fish sauce - 2 tablespoons
Brown sugar - 1 tablespoon
Red chili - 1 - sliced
Cilantro - a handful - chopped
Garlic cloves - 4 cloves - minced
Onion - 1 - finely chopped
Vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon
Salt - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🪔🌡🥘

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat
Step 2 - 🧅🥄🔥

Add 1 finely chopped onion, 4 cloves of minced garlic, and 2 tablespoons of red curry paste to the pot. Sauté until fragrant
Step 3 - 🥥🌾🍋

Pour in 2 cans of coconut milk (13.5 oz each) into the pot. Add 2 crushed lemongrass stalks, the zest of 1 lime, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of fish sauce. Allowing the mixture to come to a light simmer
Step 4 - 🦪🌪🕰

Add 2 lbs of cleaned and de-bearded mussels into the pot, stir well. Cover the pot and let it cook for 6-8 minutes. The mussels should open during this time
Step 5 - 🦪🚫⚰

Discard any mussels that did not open during the cooking process
Step 6 - 🌶🍋🌿

Sprinkle 1 sliced red chili, the juice of 1 lime, and a handful of chopped cilantro just before serving

Additional

This dish pairs perfectly with a crispy baguette or steamed jasmine rice on the side to soak up all the delicious broth. You can substitute mussels with clams or a shellfish of your choice. Engage kids by having them help with the cilantro chopping given an appropriate safety knife and supervision.