Holiday Recipes
| | Celebrate the savings - fresh blue mussels impress for less
(ARA) - Nothing says the holidays like getting together with friends and family to enjoy each others' company over delicious food, sparkling beverages and festive decor. But if you're like most Americans, you know how quickly costs for entertaining can add up, especially when it comes to the food and drink.
That doesn't have to put a damper on your holiday entertaining plans, says Chef Lindsay Cameron Wilson, who entertains frequently in her own home.
"If you plan well you can put on a wonderful evening of appetizers and drinks," says Wilson. "You just need to avoid the high cost items and look to food and drink that are actually affordable but give the impression of elegance. I always suggest fresh blue mussels because they're festive, affordable and delicious ... perfect for a holiday appetizer or main course."
Another way to save a few dollars is to put trust in your friends. Often when you're entertaining, your closest friends may offer to bring something - this year, take them up on it and ask that they follow some of Wilson's suggestions. It doesn't have to be a potluck for a few friends to contribute to the festivities.
Punches are a great way to spread the cheer a little farther, and Wilson says sangria-style drinks don't have to be just for summer. Cheese trays can make a dent in your wallet, so preparing dips that are mayonnaise or sour cream based but made with cheese can ease the cost. Seafood always impresses, but you don't have to make scallops or shrimp to wow a crowd.
"Fresh farmed mussels are both affordable and impressive," says Wilson. "They make a statement at an event that your guests are worth something special, but they are very easy to make and won't hurt you in the pocketbook."
The other great thing about mussels is the variety of ways to make them. "You can cater to a wide variety of tastes - from spicy Thai, to creamy white wine and garlic, to a zesty pesto," Wilson says.
She suggests Mussels with Shaved Fennel and Saffron as a special holiday dish to impress.
Mussels with Shaved Fennel and Saffron
Serves 6
Ingredients:
5 pounds fresh blue mussels
1 fennel bulb, diced and trimmed
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely sliced
3 cloves garlic, finely sliced
Pinch saffron strands, soaked in a tablespoon of warm water (a pinch of turmeric can be substituted)
1 bay leaf
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup white wine
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 loaf of crusty bread to soak up juices
Instructions:
Stir the fresh blue mussels in a colander while rinsing in tap water. Set aside for a few minutes. Tap any shells that are open and discard those that don't close in response to the tap. Trim stalks from fennel and using a vegetable peeler, remove blemishes from outer layer. Reserve fennel fronds for garnish. Finely slice fennel into thin strands - this can be done with a mandolin or a knife. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan. Add fennel, onion, garlic and saute over medium low heat for about 10 minutes, until soft. Stir in saffron, bay leaf, sea salt and pepper to taste. Turn up the heat to medium high. Add wine and remaining butter; stir, then add the mussels. Cover and leave to steam for five minutes, or until mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that do not open. Toss everything together with lemon zest and juice. Transfer mussels to individual plates or a serving dish. Top with reserved fennel fronds.
"Fresh blue mussels are perfect for entertaining because they're healthy, affordable and delicious. Best of all they can be prepared in multiple ways, so you can be creative in how you cook them. Or embrace the simple approach by steaming them and serving them with butter, crusty bread and a bottle of wine," says Wilson.
She adds that during the holiday season, when it's easy to overindulge, mussels can be a light, healthy appetizer or main course. Mussels are low in fat and carbohydrates, in contrast to traditional, but filling holiday foods.
Get revved up for holiday entertaining by visiting the Mussel Industry Council website at www.discovermussels.com. Representing the mussel industry in Canada, their site features information and cooking tips to prepare fresh blue cultured mussels for the budget-conscious host. Also featured on the website is a chance to win a trip for two to San Francisco. |
|
| |
Follow us:
Facebook
Blogger
Twitter
|
Basic-Recipes.com
| 
|