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Greek Fried Mussels

Any edible mussel will work here, store-bought or gathered. You can also use this recipe with clams, too. The skordalia sauce is great with any fried food, and will keep in the fridge for a week or so. 

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 634 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds mussels
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground fenugreek (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • Cheap olive oil, for frying
SKORDALIA
  • 5 garlic cloves, chopped
  • salt
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts, chopped
  • 4 1-inch thick slices of bread, crusts removed
  • 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Make the skordalia first. Dampen the bread with some water, then squeeze it dry. Tear it into pieces and put into a food processor. Add the garlic, salt and pine nuts and pulse a few times. Add the vinegar. Now, with the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil until you get a mayonnaise-like paste. Set aside.
  2. Pour the white wine into a large, wide pan with a lid. Add the bay leaves and bring to a boil. Add the mussels in one layer and steam with the lid on. As each mussel opens, remove it to a plate. Keep doing this until all the mussels are open. 
  3. Remove the mussels from the shells. Remove the wiry beards if they have them; store-bought mussels often don't. Heat enough cheap olive oil in a pot or fryer to be able to deep-fry the mussels. Heat to 350 degrees. 
  4. Mix the flour with all the spices and dredge the mussels in it. Shake off the excess and fry in the hot oil until golden, about 2 or 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve alongside the skordalia.

Notes

  • Note that if you are trying to stay gluten-free, you can use chickpea flour for the mussels, and mashed potato instead of the bread for the skordalia.

Nutrition Information

Calories 634kcal (32%) Carbohydrates 67g (22%) Protein 39g (78%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 65mg (22%) Sodium 1979mg (82%) Potassium 1058mg (30%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 370IU (7%) Vitamin C 20mg (22%) Calcium 139mg (14%) Iron 15mg (83%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 634

% Daily Value*

Calories 634kcal 32%
Carbohydrates 67g 22%
Protein 39g 78%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 65mg 22%
Sodium 1979mg 82%
Potassium 1058mg 23%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 370IU 7%
Vitamin C 20mg 22%
Calcium 139mg 14%
Iron 15mg 83%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.