Creamy Mussel Gratin
Creamy Mussel Gratin
A Simple Yet Elegant Dish at Home: Creamy Mussel Gratin
What oven-baked dishes come to mind first? For me, it’s the classic baked chicken drumsticks, followed closely by gratins – simple to make but always impressive, especially when served with a delicious sauce. A gratin is a Western dish where ingredients like fish, meat, or pasta are combined, topped with a savory sauce, placed in a gratin dish, sprinkled with grated cheese and breadcrumbs, and then baked in the oven. While the preparation itself isn’t complicated, its elegant and generous presentation makes it a wonderful choice for special occasions or banquets. Today, we’ll be making a creamy mussel gratin, a delightful and unique way to enjoy mussels at home. I’ll also share how to achieve this dish using a microwave if you don’t have an oven, so don’t be discouraged!
Ingredients- Mussel meat 100g
- Shiitake mushroom 1 pc
- Onion 1/2 pc
- Chili pepper 1/2 pc (or your preferred chili)
- Heavy cream 300mL
- Garlic powder 1 tsp
- Black pepper 1/3 tsp
- Salt 1/2 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (e.g., Mirin) 1 Tbsp
- Olive oil 1 Tbsp
- Pizza cheese 100g
- Breadcrumbs 4 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The recipes provided by Maple Daniel through Manmade Recipes are best enjoyed with accompanying photos. Follow this detailed recipe to create your delicious dish!
Step 2
First, let’s prepare the vegetables for our gratin. Slice the shiitake mushroom and onion to about 0.7cm thickness. For a hint of spice, thinly slice the chili pepper diagonally to the same thickness. You can also finely mince the vegetables if you prefer a more integrated texture.
Step 3
Now, preheat a pan over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Add 1 Tbsp of olive oil, then add the sliced onions and chili peppers. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant. Next, add the shiitake mushrooms and mussel meat, and stir-fry together for another 2 minutes. Pour in 300mL of heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Once the sauce starts to bubble, stir in 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1/3 tsp of black pepper, and 1/2 Tbsp of salt to season. Adjust salt to your preference.
Step 4
Transfer the mussel gratin mixture into an oven-safe dish. Generously sprinkle 100g of pizza cheese over the top, followed by an even layer of 4 Tbsp of breadcrumbs. I used a blend of mozzarella and cheddar pizza cheese for a richer flavor. The breadcrumbs are key to achieving a wonderfully crispy topping that enhances the overall texture of the dish. If you plan to use a microwave instead of an oven, I recommend omitting the breadcrumbs and using only cheese. Microwaves cook differently and breadcrumbs can become soggy, so cheese alone will yield a better result. You’ll still enjoy a delicious gratin this way!
Step 5
Finally, bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 8-10 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly. Cooking time may vary depending on your oven’s performance.
Step 6
When you gently touch the surface with a fork, you’ll hear a satisfying ‘crunch!’ – a testament to the crispy breadcrumbs. Beneath this delightful crust lies a layer of rich, melted cheese and creamy sauce, ready to be savored.
Step 7
Today, we’ve explored a recipe for a unique creamy mussel gratin, perfect for a simple yet elegant home-cooked meal. As you can see, it’s not as difficult as you might have thought! Use nutritious mussels to prepare an even more delicious dinner. Enjoy your meal 🙂
