This is something sort of different for us. I’ve never cooked mussels before, but when I was choosing a recipe to make from Steamy Kitchen’s new book, I felt like trying something outside my comfort zone. I also knew Jack would never expect this, and I like to surprise him every now and then.
Surprise… mussels are so easy. 6 ingredients and about 5 minutes later we had perfectly steamed mussels in a fancy aromatic sake broth. I made some soba noodles to go along with them (and to soak up more of the broth – no sake goes to waste in our house).
Some other recipes from the book I’m excited to try are: sriracha sauce (as in – not from the bottle), blackened tofu with ginger ponzu-sauce, and the kimchi omelet.
the giveaway is now over
From Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites by Jaden Hair
sake-steamed mussels
- 2 pounds fresh mussels
- 11/2 cups sake or dry white wine
- 2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 shallot, sliced into very thin rings
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves
- salt
- Scrub the mussels under cool water, discarding any with broken or cracked shells.
- Heat a large sauté pan, deep soup pot, or wok over high heat with the sake, ginger, garlic, and shallots. When the mixture comes to a boil, add the mussels and cover. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the mussels open.
- Toss in the basil and serve immediately.
Reprinted with permission from Steamy Kitchen’s Healthy Asian Favorites by Jaden Hair, copyright © 2013. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.
I love a good bowl of udon with a deep, hot broth… Perfect thing for a grey day. A Japanese restaurant near where I grew up made the most amazing udon… cheapest thing on the menu and it was huge and full of wonderful things I didn’t know the names of- burdock and konnyaku and lotus root.
I love a good bowl of hot steaming pho on a cold day, or when I feel blah. Definitely wakes me up! Especially adding all those jalapeno slices.
I’m on the hunt for a good tofu bibimbap recipe – definitely a favorite asian dish! Pho and goi rolls too – I haven’t mastered making pho at home yet, but the Vietnamese spring rolls are a favorite at home!
A green papaya salad is always a success. As are ramen in cold soy and dashi with grilled asparagus, shrimps, raw carrots, and a little grated ginger. Yummy.
Hot & Sour Soup with tofu. The soup that has cocoanut milk in it. I don’t have a recipe for this though and would LOVE it if you would share one! Or, make up a recipe for this deliciousness! Your recipes are so delicious and healthy! Thank you for sharing and with photos as well!
I just love plain rice with a little soy sauce and sesame oil.
Had to read this, my son loves mussels and I too have never made them. I think you may have helped me over the hump. Oh, spring rolls with sweet hot sauce and Wongs Egg Rolls in helena, mt are the best!
kung pao chicken
It’s a tie between green papaya salad and beef pho.
I love a good Vietnamese noodle bowl. Mmm – and if I’m feeling crazy I get tofu, chicken (sorry veg heads), AND egg roll on it. I load it up with more mint, tomatoes, lettuce, and sprout and make it the meal of the century. So good!
Wow, these mussels look so easy and delicious. All of those recipes from the cookbook would be so fun to try! My favorite Asian dish is any type of curry… I am addicted!
There’s a lot I like, but I tend to really go for the stuff that seemingly can’t be made at home. How do restaurants get tofu so crispy delicious? Or udon – I love the variety you get in a good bowl. It would be fun to see Ms. Hair’s take on at home Asian.
Not sure if you’ll see this – but tofu is best when it’s dry-fried! You have to have a nice non-stick pan at home but if you press your tofu right and slap it on a medium heated pan it’ll un-stick when it’s ready to flip!
As in no oil for frying? I’ll definitely have to try that. So far baking, just-shy-of-smoking oil, or even a little shake in corn starch before going in the pan (the internet suggested that at some point) haven’t gotten it close to my favorite restaurant. Thanks for the tip!
My favorite asian dish is tom yum soup. SOOO good!
Hands down favorite is black bean crab.
Tom Ka soup is just about my favorite thing on the planet.
OH… too many to mention! Ramen, of course… Anything Dumplings….mussels with coconut milk, garlic, ginger, lemongrass… my mouth is watering!
Thai noodles with a spicy peanut butter sauce and veggies 🙂
This book looks great! My favourite asian dish is Sang choy bow, especially with some homemade kimchi!
I absolutely love sushi!!! Anything with salmon is my weakness. Yummy mussel recipe- delicious and easy!
I LOVE gyoza, but noodles are now becoming a favorite of mine too! I’m a big fan on Steamy Kitchen and would love this cookbook.