Wood Fired Thai-Style Mussels

Savour the exotic flavours of Wood Fired Thai-Style Mussels, a tantalizing dish bursting with the essence of coconut, curry, and fragrant spices. Perfectly cooked over open flames, this recipe offers a culinary adventure that's both elegant and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

- 2 lbs (900g) fresh mussels, cleaned and debearded
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
- 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised and chopped
- 1 red chili pepper, thinly sliced (optional for extra heat)
- Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

Recipe

1. Preheat your wood-fired oven to around 450°F (230°C).
2. In a large cast iron skillet or oven-safe dish, combine coconut milk, red curry paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped lemongrass, and sliced chili pepper if using. Stir well to combine.
3. Place the skillet or dish in the preheated wood-fired oven and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. Carefully add the cleaned mussels to the skillet or dish, ensuring they are evenly distributed in the sauce.
5. Cover the skillet or dish with a lid or aluminum foil and return it to the wood-fired oven. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the mussels have opened up and are cooked through.
6. Once the mussels are cooked, remove the skillet or dish from the oven. Discard any mussels that have not opened.
7. Garnish the Thai-style mussels with fresh cilantro leaves before serving.

Duration to Cook - Approximately 20 minutes.

Chef Skill Level - Intermediate

Vegan - No

Vegetarian - Yes

Gluten-Free - Yes

Serving Suggestion

Serve the Wood-Fired Thai-Style Mussels hot, straight from the oven. Accompany them with crusty bread or steamed jasmine rice to soak up the flavorful coconut curry sauce. Enjoy this aromatic and savory dish as a delightful appetizer or main course, perfect for sharing with friends and family.