San Francisco-Inspired Mussel Chowder
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 2 servings
- Total: 35 min
- Active: 30 min
Ingredients
4 bacon slices, chopped
1/2 cup chopped scallions (white and light green parts), plus more for garnish
3 cloves garlic, minced plus 1 whole clove
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
2 thyme sprigs
1 lemon, zest peeled into strips with a vegetable peeler
2 cups fish stock
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
Pinch of ground white pepper
1 pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded
1 cup heavy cream
Olive oil
1 baguette, sliced
1 clove garlic, whole
Directions
- Cook the bacon in a large deep skillet with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until crispy, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels, reserving the drippings in the skillet.
- Cook the scallions in the reserved bacon drippings over medium heat, stirring frequently, until softened. Place the minced garlic on your board and sprinkle with a generous pinch of kosher salt, then use the side of a chef's knife to scrape into a paste. Add the garlic, thyme and lemon peel strips and cook until fragrant, 2 minutes. Add the fish stock and potatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of white pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are just tender, about 5 minutes.
- Increase the heat to medium-high, add the mussels, cover and cook until the mussels have opened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and discard any mussels that have not opened.
- Return the pan to the heat and simmer until the liquid is slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and lemon juice. Top the mussels with the cooked bacon and extra sliced scallions.
- Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush the baguette slices with a little olive oil, then add to the grill pan and cook until golden brown, 2 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and rub with the whole garlic clove. Served the mussels with the grilled bread.