Skip to main content

Barbara’s Mussels

This can be done with mussels and clams mixed, and you can also add shrimp at the end if you like variety.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

2 pounds mussels*
2 cups wine (Chardonnay or Cabernet)
One 14 1/2-ounce can Italian-style chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut into quarters
1/2 cup fresh or 1 cup minced garlic from a jar**
1-ounce bunch fresh basil, chopped
2 shallots, chopped

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Rinse and scrub the mussels in cold water. Fill a large pot 1-inch deep with water and bring to a boil. Add the mussels and boil gently until the shells just open, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off half the liquid and keep rest of the liquid in the pot with the mussels. Discard any mussels that did not open. Add the wine, tomatoes, butter, garlic, basil, and shallots, and cook slowly on low heat (keep stirring occasionally) for about 20 minutes. Serve the mussels in a large bowl with hot crusty bread and salad.

  2. notes

    Step 2

    *For plumper, more succulent mussels, place the mussels in a pot of cold water and stir in 1/2 cup flour; refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Drain the mussels and rinse in cold water.

  3. Step 3

    **This may sound like too much garlic but it really isn’t.

The Lady & Sons, Too! by Paula Deen. © 2001 by Paula H. Deen. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved. Paula H. Deen was born and raised in Albany, Georgia. She later moved to Savannah, where she and her two sons, Bobby and Jamie, started the Bag Lady catering company. The business took off and evolved into The Lady & Sons Restaurant, which is located in Savannah’s historic district and specializes in Southern cooking. Paula is the host of Food Network’s Paula’s Home Cooking and is a regular guest on QVC, where her cookbooks are one of the newtowrk’s biggest sellers.
Read More
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.