STEAMED MUSSELS IN CURRY BROTH

Steamed Mussels in Curry Broth image

Provided by Food Network

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings as a first-course

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 pounds mussels
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
1 head garlic, peeled and crushed
3 tablespoons red curry paste
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 cups dry white wine
2 cups clam juice
10 Kaffir lime leaves
4 stalks lemongrass (white part only), very thinly sliced
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup (loosely packed) cilantro leaves

Steps:

With a vegetable brush, clean the mussels under cold running water. Pull off and discard any beards. Discard any mussels with a broken shell or those that do not close when sharply tapped. Drain well.
In a stainless steel or coated-aluminum wok, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and stir-fry until the onion is wilted. Add the curry paste and turmeric, and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute, until aromatic. Add the wine, clam juice, lime leaves, and lemongrass. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the limes leaves and discard.
Add the mussels, cover the wok tightly, and steam over moderate heat for 5 minutes. The mussels will begin to open. Continue cooking until all the mussels have opened; transfer those that opened to a platter and discard any that fail to open. Add the cream and cilantro leaves to the wok, and stir to blend. Pour over the mussels and serve.