Golden Mussel Chowder

• 2 pounds mussels
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon golden spice mix (see below)
• 1 cup white wine
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 small leeks
• 1 cup heavy cream
• rind of one preserved lemon, rinsed and finely diced (or a tablespoon of fresh lemon zest)
• 10 saffron threads, roasted and crushed
• 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
• 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
• freshly ground black pepper
• 4 slices bacon
• light brown sugar
• thin rounds of crispy fried leek, to garnish
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/2 tablespoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1/4 tablespoon chili powder

1. Scrub the mussels clean and pull off the beards.
2. Discard any mussels that refuse to close after a sharp tap.
3. In a heavy-based saucepan, saute the onion, celery, garlic and golden spice mix in the olive oil for about a minute, then add the wine and the mussels.
4. Cover, turn the heat up and steam for 3 minutes.
5. Turn the mussels well, replace the lid and steam for a further two minutes or until the mussels have opened.
6. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to steam for a further minute before taking off the lid and straining the liquor through a fine sieve to catch any dirt.
7. Reserve the liquor.
8. Throw any unopened mussels back into the pot and steam for another minute or two.
9. Discard any that stubbornly refuse to open.
10. Allow the mussels to cool, and then remove them from their shells and cut in half.
11. Steam the potatoes and whole leeks for 10-15 minutes, or until tender.
12. Remove from the heat and allow to cool a few minutes.
13. Split the leegs in half lengthwise, then cut them into 1/2-inch slices.
14. Return the mussel liquor to the pot, add the cream and bring to a boil Add the potatoes, leeks and preserved lemon (or zest) then the saffron and thyme.
15. Heat thoroughly.
16. Add the diced tomatoes and mussels and warm through briefly.
17. Season with pepper.
18. Sprinkle the bacon liberally with brown sugar and fry until golden brown.
19. Shred and sprinkle on the soup and garnish with the crisp fried leeks.

mussels, olive oil, onion, stalks celery, garlic, golden spice mix, white wine, potatoes, leeks, heavy cream, rind of one preserved lemon, saffron, thyme, tomatoes, freshly ground black pepper, bacon, light brown sugar, thin, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground turmeric, ground ginger, chili powder

Taken from www.foodrepublic.com/recipes/golden-mussel-chowder-recipe/ (may not work)