RECIPE

Steamed Mussels with Smoky Bacon

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 50 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4

For Blue Smoke, his New York City barbecue restaurant, Michael Romano buys bacon and other natural pork products from Niman Ranch, in California's Bay Area. There is a significant difference in flavor between conventional and hormone-free meat. Niman Ranch pork, beef, and lamb products are available st some supermarkets and at www.nimanranch.com.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 50 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • FAST

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 1/4 pound thick-sliced lean smoked bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
    2. 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
    3. 1 large jalapeño, thinly sliced crosswise with seeds
    4. Salt and freshly ground pepper
    5. 1/2 pound plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
    6. 1/2 cup dry white wine
    7. 2 tablespoons ketchup
    8. 3 1/2 pounds medium mussels, scrubbed and debearded
    9. 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
    10. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    11. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
    12. Crusty bread, for serving

Directions

  1. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. Add the shallots and jalapeño, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes. Add the wine and ketchup and simmer until reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Increase the heat to high and add the mussels. Cover and cook, shaking the pan a few times, until the mussels open, about 5 minutes.
  2. With a slotted spoon, transfer the mussels to 4 large, shallow serving bowls. Remove the casserole from the heat and stir in the lime juice, butter and cilantro. Ladle the sauce over the mussels and serve at once with bread.