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Sake Steamed Mussels

February 28, 2013

I'm obsessed with mussels and have been for years. Back before we had kids and traveling was still something my husband and I actually did, I would drag him to restaurants all across the globe to eat mussels prepared in the local fashion. Closer to home, two of my favorite local mussel spots have sadly closed and so I've started making them at home.

For a mom that adores mussels so much, why I never made them for my kids before is beyond me. It's probably for the same reason a lot of parents don't make or order them for kids. They just seem like an odd food -- possibly even too gourmet -- and it's hard to imagine kids enjoying them. My mother, for one, has told me she never would have dreamed of offering them to me when I was little. Yet on the other hand, when I go to my friend Jackie's house, her three young kids can't get enough of her homemade mussels.

Mussels are sold at our local farmers market, so last summer when one of my frequent cravings arose I bought a big bag and decided to try making them for the kids. I expected the worst and that's exactly what I got at first. Kenya started in immediately with cries of, "eww gross". Chloe followed her brother's lead but after watching hubby and I enjoying one after the other couldn't resist having a go. Minutes later we were all sitting outside like a bunch of shellfish savages, hunched over a big bowl devouring mussels.

Recently I got Steamy Kitchen's Healthy Asian Favorites cookbook and I ripped it open and immediately began drooling over the recipes and images. I've been a fan of Jaden Hair and her Steamy Kitchen website for years. I not only consider her a friend, but a true inspiration. We try to eat as healthily as possible and my kids are taken with Asian flavors so it seemed like it was written just for us.

The second I saw the picture for Jaden's mussels recipe I knew it was the first one I was going to try. I picked up a pound (which Kenya later told me wasn't enough) and in less then 5 minutes I had prepared a huge bowl full of mussels that the kids ate so fast I barely got my hands on any. I've made three more recipes since then and they've all been a huge hit too.

I want you to have the opportunity to dig into Jaden's new book, so I'm giving away two copies. Simply leave me a comment below and you're entered to win!

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winners!
Jennifer Li
Kate Edenborg

For a chance to win one of two (2) Steamy Kitchen Healthy Asian Favorites, leave a comment below!
Duration: This giveaway is open to readers in the United States and will be open until Thursday, March 7th, 2013 11:59pm PST
How Winner Will Be Chosen: The two (2) winners will be chosen at random and notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours to respond to me, or a new winner will be chosen.
Fine Print: Weelicious is hosting this giveaway so you can experience these products for yourself. I am in no way being compensated for this giveaway.

Bonus Entries (for another chance at winning!):
1. Join weelicious on Facebook. Leave a separate comment below letting us know you're a weelicious fan on Facebook .
2. Follow weelicious on Twitter. Leave a separate comment below letting us know you follow us.
3. Follow weelicious on Pinterest and/or pin this giveaway. Leave a separate comment here letting us know you followed and/or pinned.

Sake-Steamed Mussels  (serves 4 )

  • Prep Time:5 minutes,
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes,
  • Total Time: 12 minutes,

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups sake or dry white wine
  • 2 teaspoons peeled and finely grated fresh ginger
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
  • 1 shallot, sliced into thin rings
  • 2 pounds fresh mussels
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

  1. 1. Heat a large soup pot over over high heat and add the sake, ginger, garlic and shallots. Bring to a boil.
  2. 2. Add the mussels, cover, and cook for 5 minutes, or until the mussels open.
  3. 3. Toss in the basil and cilantro and serve immediately.

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Comments

  1. Marianne

    March 1, 2013 at 9:00 am

    I think we’ll try a little dinner experiment this weekend!! ;)

  2. Peggy Whisenhunt

    March 1, 2013 at 8:31 am

    Just found your site, my daughter had posted it on facebook, so I took a look. will save this to my favorites and check you out on your meals. thanks. Maybe I will win the cookbook too.

  3. Nicole

    March 1, 2013 at 7:46 am

    I would love a new cookbook:)

  4. Barbara

    March 1, 2013 at 7:32 am

    Love your recipes! Thanks, perfect Giveaway!!

  5. Patricia

    March 1, 2013 at 5:01 am

    Love asian food! Love your recipes! Perfect Giveaway :)

  6. Kelly S.

    March 1, 2013 at 1:56 am

    Never would have thought to feed my daughter mussels! Can’t wait to try this recipe.

  7. Lucinda

    March 1, 2013 at 1:34 am

    sounds yummy

  8. Meghan Finley

    March 1, 2013 at 1:26 am

    Sounds amazing. I’d love to win

  9. Sandy

    March 1, 2013 at 1:23 am

    Can’t wait to try this!

  10. Sandy

    March 1, 2013 at 1:23 am

    Mussels. Nom mom nom. Can’t wait to try this recipe,

  11. Mary-Elizabeth Robinson

    February 28, 2013 at 11:32 pm

    We love mussels, too! I was so excited to see this recipe! Thank you!

  12. Juliet

    February 28, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    Yum, yum. Thank you!

  13. Caroline L.

    February 28, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    Can’t wait to try this recipe.. I love mussels!

  14. AGNIESZKA R

    February 28, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    Thank you for posting this recipe!

  15. cindycerv

    February 28, 2013 at 9:50 pm

    I was looking for inspiration for a seafood dish to prepare on “Fish Fridays”! This totally fits the bill. And it’s healthy to boot.

  16. Susanna Faygenbaum

    February 28, 2013 at 9:46 pm

    What age are mussels appropriate? I loooooveee them

  17. Tiffany Byers

    February 28, 2013 at 9:31 pm

    First we found your site looking for baby food recipes, Great information. But on the subject of mussels and kids, never thought of it until my 9 yo tried clams in garlic sauce at a buffet style restaurant, and loved them… I have been reading about making food for the baby with the spices you use and when age appropriate interduce the foods we eat as a puree, just watch on chili heat, and salt. We are always looking at new foods and would love to check out the recipes in this book.

  18. Bethany C.

    February 28, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    I want this book so bad!

  19. Julia

    February 28, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    Mussels are one of my all time favorite seafood dishes! This cookbook look wonderful.

  20. Carolyn

    February 28, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    Sign me up!!

  21. Wendy T.

    February 28, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    Love SteamyKitchen, this recipe sounds so good. Would love to win the cookbook!

  22. sandi mckenna

    February 28, 2013 at 8:44 pm

    I love mussels & cilantro!!! Can’t wait to try this recipe that incorporates both of them!!

  23. Patricia

    February 28, 2013 at 8:16 pm

    I would love to try the recipes in this book.!

  24. Sarah H.P.

    February 28, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    I love Asian food!!

  25. Allyson

    February 28, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    I LOVE mussels too. Would love to make them at home. I’ve always thought it would be more challenging. Not!