MUSSELS GAZPACHO

Mussels Gazpacho image

Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network

Time 1h40m

Yield 8 servings of 2 to 3 mussels each

Number Of Ingredients 11

16 to 24 large fresh mussels in shell, debearded and well scrubbed
1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced small
2 tomatoes, seeds removed and diced small
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons tomato paste
2 dashes hot sauce (recommended: Tobasco)
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 lime, juiced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup sour cream, as garnish, optioinal

Steps:

Fill a saucepot with 1-inch of water. Place mussels in pot, cover, and steam until mussels open, discarding any that do not open. Remove mussels from pan and chill.
In a mixing bowl, combine cucumber, tomatoes, onion, garlic, tomato paste, hot sauce, cilantro and lime juice and season with salt and pepper. When mussels are cold, split the shells, leaving the mussel on the half-shell and discarding the other half. Spoon some of the mixture on top of mussel. Garnish with sour cream, if desired.