Sunday, August 5, 2007

Mussels A La Vinnie Testa




There is an awesome small Italian restaurant chain in the Boston area, Vinnie Testa's (if you aren't eating gluten free, go there!), it isn't a gluten free restaurant, I ate there before all this happened. You would get plates of pasta and seafood in bowls big enough to bathe a good size baby. Bread served with roasted garlic to spread on, and mussels made with white wine, butter, olive oil, parsley and tomatoes. Yum. The perfect summer food..tastes like the beach. When I eat these I don't miss fried clams.

Don't eat the mussels that haven't opened after cooking. And, don't forget to soak up the broth with bread.

Italian-style Mussels

4 lbs mussels, rinsed and scrubbed if necessary
2 cups dry white wine
4 shallots, chopped finely
6 garlic cloves, I use a garlic press
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 tablespoons butter
fresh parsley chopped
1 large fresh tomato chopped

Make sure your mussels don't have the beards, remove if necessary. Combine wine, shallots, garlic and salt in large stockpot/sauce pot and simmer for about 5 minutes. Turn heat up to high, add mussels and cook for about 5 minutes or until all the mussels have opened. Melt butter, add olive oil. Pour over mussels. Add tomato, mix mussels, sprinkle with parsley. Serve from one fabulous bowl in the middle, or serve in individual dishes, making sure to scoop up some broth in the serving.

Cheers!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mussels are always impressive. This dish definitely reminds me of the beach! My grandfather used to make a similar dish for me all the time when we went to visit him. I will have to try making it!

Mrs. G.F. said...

I know, they are impressive. When I put this on the table, I got a huge "Wow!". I loved that, besides, I feel deceptive, this is so easy.

Your grandfather sounds so cool. Did he add anything different?

kbabe1968 said...

Sadly, I'm not a mussels or clam type person. I agree with Natalie, though, sure does look impressive. I may try it, just use shrimp, maybe? Hmmmm... Some things I just wish I liked... :D

kbabe1968 said...

OH...I forgot to add, though, I'll check out the restaurant when we visit Boston this fall for hubby's business trip! :D

Anonymous said...

This recipe sounds delicious.
In case you haven't heard, Woodman's in Essex, MA has gluten free fried clams.

Mrs. G.F. said...

kbabe - If this works with something else..be sure to let me know!!

Nina - Oh. My. Goodness. No, I did not know. I see a road trip in my family's future. I love to get fried clams once during the summer, and I thought I wouldn't be able to again.
Thanks for the tip. :)

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