Steamed Mussels with Peruvian Flair

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (900g) fresh mussels 2 pounds (900g) fresh mussels
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon aji amarillo paste (Peruvian yellow chili paste) 1 teaspoon aji amarillo paste (Peruvian yellow chili paste)
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth
• Juice of 2 limes Juice of 2 limes
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Clean the mussels thoroughly, removing any beards or debris. Discard any mussels that are open or damaged.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, and aji amarillo paste to the pot. Stir well to combine the spices with the onion and garlic.
4. 4.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and lime juice, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the broth to a simmer.
5. 5.
   Add the cleaned mussels to the pot, cover with a lid, and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until the mussels have opened.
6. 6.
   Discard any mussels that have not opened.
7. 7.
   Serve the steamed mussels in bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Mussels — Make sure to thoroughly clean the mussels and discard any that are open or damaged before cooking.
• Aji amarillo paste — If you can't find aji amarillo paste, you can substitute it with a combination of yellow bell pepper and a small amount of chili powder for a similar flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• Serve the steamed mussels with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.
• Adjust the amount of aji amarillo paste according to your spice preference.
• For an extra burst of freshness, squeeze additional lime juice over the mussels before serving.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor profile of the broth.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, add a chopped chili pepper to the broth.

Serving advice

Serve the Steamed Mussels with Peruvian Flair as an appetizer or a main course. Accompany it with crusty bread to enjoy the flavorful broth.

Presentation advice

Present the steamed mussels in individual bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro. The vibrant colors of the mussels and the aromatic broth will make for an enticing presentation.