Mussels a la Plancha
- 2 pounds small mussels (preferably cultivated), scrubbed well and beards pulled off
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup Veracruz salsa
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt, or to taste
- 6 fresh epazote leaves* if desired, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, unpeeled
- 1 plum tomato
- 1 tablespoon corn oil
- 12 morita chiles* with seeds or 8 dried chipotle chiles* with seeds
- 1 1/2 cups hot water
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt, or to taste
- available at Mexican markets
- Prepare grill.
- Preheat a large griddle or 12-inch cast-iron skillet on a rack over very hot coals.
- When griddle or skillet is very hot, add mussels and cook, stirring occasionally if using skillet, until mussels are opened, about 3 minutes.
- Discard any unopened mussels.
- While mussels are cooking, in a small saucepan heat butter and salsa over moderately high heat until mixture sizzles.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in lime juice, salt, and epazote.
- Drizzle sauce over mussels.
- Heat a dry comal or flat iron griddle over moderately low heat until hot and pan-roast garlic and tomato, turning them occasionally to ensure even roasting, until browned and soft throughout, about 25 to 30 minutes.
- Discard garlic skins and tomato stem.
- In a heavy skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and, using tongs, fry chiles, 1 or 2 at a time, turning them, until puffed and just beginning to brown, about 10 seconds.
- Transfer chiles as fried, letting excess oil drip into skillet, to paper towels to drain and, wearing rubber gloves, discard stems.
- In a blender puree garlic, tomato, chiles, water, and salt until very smooth.
- (Salsa may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.)
- Makes about 2 cups.
mussels, butter, salsa, lime juice, coarse salt, epazote, garlic, tomato, corn oil, chiles, water, coarse salt, markets
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/mussels-a-la-plancha-12686 (may not work)