Rachel Allen's Mussels with Garlic and Bread Crumbs

Health score
20%
Rachel Allen's Mussels with Garlic and Bread Crumbs
20 min.
4
975kcal

Suggestions


If you're looking for a delightful seafood dish that is quick to prepare and bursting with flavor, look no further than Rachel Allen's Mussels with Garlic and Bread Crumbs. This elegant recipe is perfect for a lunch gathering or a cozy dinner at home, and it brings the tastes of the ocean straight to your table in just 20 minutes. With simple, fresh ingredients, this dish showcases the tender, briny mussels, complemented by a crunchy, buttery topping that adds layers of texture and flavor.

The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its exquisite taste but also in its versatility. Whether you're serving it as a light main course or as an impressive starter for a special occasion, these broiled mussels topped with garlic and rich bread crumbs are sure to impress your guests. The preparation is straightforward, making it an accessible delight for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike. Each bite is a perfect harmony of savory and fresh, with a hint of richness from the buttery topping.

Moreover, this dish invites creativity, as you can easily tweak the flavors to suit your palate. Try adding fresh herbs or zesty citrus to enhance the experience further. Indulge in the comforting taste of the sea with Rachel Allen’s Mussels with Garlic and Bread Crumbs, and savor a culinary journey that transports you to coastal kitchens filled with warmth and camaraderie.

Ingredients

  • 50 breadcrumbs fresh white
  • 50 butter 
  • tablespoon parsley fresh chopped
  • large clove garlic grated crushed
  • 900 shells scrubbed

Equipment

  • frying pan
  • sauce pan
  • grill
  • broiler

Directions

  1. Check over the mussels and, if any are open, give them a tap; if they don’t close, discard them.
  2. Put the tightly shut mussels with just 1 tablespoon of water in a large saucepan over low heat and cover with the lid. They will open in the steam. If you catch them when they are just opening, they will be delicious and juicy, so don’t overcook them.
  3. Remove the mussels from the pan (keeping any juices for a fish soup, pie, stew, or even to mix with mayonnaise served with shellfish such as shrimp). Discard any cooked mussels with unopened shells.
  4. Discard half a shell from each mussel and pull out the beard—the little fibrous tuft— from the straight side of each mussel.
  5. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
  6. Add the bread crumbs, garlic, and parsley and mix together. With a spoon, firmly pack the bread crumb mixture on top of each mussel.
  7. Place the mussels, crumb side up, in a single layer on ovenproof plates or gratin dishes. (These can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance.) When you are ready to eat, pop them under a preheated broiler (grill) until golden, crunchy, and bubbly, 1 to 2 minutes.
  8. Variations: While it isn’t classically Irish, sometimes I feel like adding a bit more zip to this recipe, so in place of the parsley, I add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (coriander) together with one-quarter to one-half of a fresh red chile, seeded and chopped. Or you could try adding some grated lemon zest to the crumbs.

Nutrition Facts

Calories975kcal
Protein12.97%
Fat13.29%
Carbs73.74%

Properties

Glycemic Index
38.5
Glycemic Load
67.62
Inflammation Score
-7
Nutrition Score
23.384347843087%

Flavonoids

Apigenin
2.15mg
Luteolin
0.01mg
Kaempferol
0.02mg
Myricetin
0.16mg
Quercetin
0.02mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:975.23kcal
48.76%
Fat:14.21g
21.86%
Saturated Fat:7.2g
45%
Carbohydrates:177.32g
59.11%
Net Carbohydrates:169.51g
61.64%
Sugar:6.81g
7.56%
Cholesterol:26.88mg
8.96%
Sodium:186.06mg
8.09%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:31.19g
62.38%
Selenium:145.58µg
207.98%
Manganese:2.19mg
109.61%
Phosphorus:450.6mg
45.06%
Copper:0.69mg
34.29%
Magnesium:125.56mg
31.39%
Fiber:7.81g
31.25%
Vitamin B3:4.68mg
23.39%
Zinc:3.38mg
22.56%
Vitamin B1:0.33mg
21.76%
Iron:3.61mg
20.03%
Vitamin K:18.34µg
17.46%
Vitamin B6:0.35mg
17.26%
Potassium:537.8mg
15.37%
Folate:55.79µg
13.95%
Vitamin B2:0.19mg
11.26%
Vitamin B5:1.06mg
10.61%
Vitamin A:396.68IU
7.93%
Calcium:75.86mg
7.59%
Vitamin E:0.56mg
3.7%
Vitamin C:1.56mg
1.9%
Vitamin B12:0.06µg
1.08%