Dinner Club Tips: Mussel up your Menu | Mussel Industry Council

Dinner clubs have been a popular activity for many Americans for decades. And why not? Combining the best of fabulous food and good friends with whom to share it, dinner clubs (or supper clubs as they are sometimes known) provide a regular opportunity for group members to get together and enjoy delicious meals together.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or wanting to try a dinner club for the first time, there is bound to be some anxiety over what to prepare. This is where the versatility of PEI mussels can get your creative culinary juices flowing.

“These mussels really offer something for dinner club members from all skill levels,” says Chef Lindsay Cameron Wilson, the official chef of the Mussel Industry Council’s website DiscoverMussels.com. “Whether you’re a novice wanting to do a dish that seems a bit exotic but remains easy to prepare, or a pro in the kitchen wanting to explore new flavour territory, there’s a mussels recipe for you.”

For the uninitiated, shellfish dishes sometimes seem daunting, but are often easier to prepare than first thought. For a simple yet impressive recipe, Chef Lindsay recommends Mussels with Greens and Blue Cheese (recipes below). For a more complex recipe that is very rewarding, she suggests dinner club enthusiasts try Mediterranean Mussel Salad.

“As these recipes show, one of the great things about PEI mussels is their versatility,” says Linda Duncan, executive director of the Mussel Industry Council. “The meat is plump, sweet and tender and lends itself to a variety of dishes from around the world. There’s a rich flavour profile associated with mussels, and as a bonus it pairs wonderfully with many different wines -- another fun element of many dinner clubs. ”

Manny dinner clubs are themed and offer meals from a different part of the world each month. The wonderful flavours of fresh mussels are as at home in classic European dishes like mussels provençal as they are in sweet Thai dishes, exotic Asian dishes or spicy dishes like mussel laksa from India.

The Canadian Mussel Industry Council website (www.discovermussels.com) is home to a wealth of recipes to try for your next dinner club gathering or for healthy meal at home. With recipes from the flavour capitals of the world, you’ll find numerous ways to prepare these delicious and sustainable mussels from PEI.

Recipe: Mussels with Greens and Blue Cheese

Number of Servings: 10
Source: Chef Lindsay Cameron Wilson
Preparation Time: 10mins
Cooking Time: 10mins

Ingredients

5 lb fresh PEI mussels
2 tbsp olive oil
7 ounces pancetta, proscuitto or bacon, diced
2 shallots, minced
juice and zest of 1 lemon
7 ounces creamy blue cheese
arugula, spinach or watercress (large)
sea salt and pepper to taste
crusty bread to serve
1 cup white wine

Instructions

1. Rinse fresh blue mussels in tap water and set aside. Discard any mussel that does not close after being rinsed.

2. Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add pancetta, proscuitto or bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy. Add shallot and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes more.

3. Add white wine, lemon juice and blue cheese. Stir briefly, then add mussels. Cover and leave to steam for 5-7 minutes, or until mussels are open. Discard any mussels that do not open.

4. Toss in greens and salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with lemon zest.

5. Serve with slices of crusty bread.

Recipe: Mediterranean Mussel Salad

Number of Servings: 5
Source: Mussel Industry Council
Preparation Time: 10mins
Cooking Time: 5mins

Ingredients

5 cup baby spinach, chiffonade (leaves sliced finely into long strips)
2⁄3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
2 tsp natural honey
1 cup cooked fresh PEI mussels, shucked and chopped
1⁄4 cup lemon juice and zest
1⁄4 cup cucumbers, finely diced
1⁄4 cup tomatoes, finely diced
1⁄2 cup red and yellow peppers, finely diced
3 tbsp kalamata or black olives, pitted and sliced
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 tsp fresh whole grain mustard
2 tbsp feta cheese, crumbled (for garnish)
salt and ground black pepper

Instructions

Base of Salad - Method:
1. Combine the spinach and tarragon in a large bowl.
2. Lightly toss spinach and tarragon with the olive oil (1/4 cup oil blended with the honey). Season with salt and pepper and set aside in the refrigerator.

Mussel Salad - Method:
1. Wash the fresh blue mussels in cold water. Set aside, discard any that do not close.
2. Steam mussels in a covered pot until they open up (5-7 min), discarding any mussels that do not open. 3. Remove meat from shells and set aside.

To Create the Vinaigrette:
1. Combine lemon juice, mustard, and herbs. Whisk in olive oil (1/3 cup) in a light stream until fully incorporated.
2. In a separate bowl, combine mussels, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers and black olives. Gently toss with the prepared vinaigrette.
3. Set in the refrigerator for 1 hour to allow the flavours to combine. Season the chilled salad with salt and black pepper.
4. Garnish with Feta cheese and serve immediately.