Asian Recipes - Garlic and Basil Stir-Fried Mussels Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 tbsp/30 to 45 ml vegetable oil

• 1/2 cup/125 ml chicken stock, water or beer

• 1 lb/500 g fresh mussels, trimmed and cleaned

• 3 sprigs of fresh basil, Thai or other, coarsely Chopped

• Sprigs of fresh basil and sliced red chilies for garnish

Spice Paste:

• 3 small fresh red or green chilies, coarsely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

• 6 to 8 fresh coriander roots, coarsely chopped

Seasoning:

• 1 tbsp/15 ml fish sauce

• 1 to 2 tbsp/15 to 30 ml oyster sauce

Serves 4

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Method:

1. Using a mortar and pestle or a small blender or food processor, pound or grind the spice paste ingredients until they form a coarse paste. Prepare all the remaining ingredients and have at hand.

2. Preheat a wok or other deep, heavy-bottomed pan over high heat and then add the oil. As soon as the oil is hot, add the spice paste and stir well to combine. Cook for about h minute while while the spice paste imparts its flavor to the oil.

3. Add the fish sauce, oyster sauce and chicken stock. Stir until the mixture comes to a boil. 

4. Add the mussels and stir. coating them with the sauce until the sauce returns to a boil. Cover the pan and cook until the mussels open (about 6-8 minutes).

5. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning, adding sugar, fish sauce or oyster sauce as desired.

6. Discard any mussels that do not open and stir in the coarsely chopped basil. Garnish and serve immediately.