Mussel ginger and saffron chowder - bon appetit

6 -8 serving

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
4tablespoons(1/2 stick) unsalted butter
½cupChopped shallots
2tablespoonsMinced fresh ginger
2tablespoonsMinced seeded jalapeno chilies
1tablespoonMinced garlic
2cupsDry white wine
1tablespoonSoy sauce
2poundsMussels, cleaned, debearded
cupCoarsely chopped leeks (white & pale green parts only)
cupCoarsely chopped fennel
1mediumOnion, chopped
1cupChopped peeled carrot
¾cupChopped peeled potato
2cupsBottled clam juice
1Bay leaf
1cupWhipping cream
teaspoonGround saffron
Chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Melt 2 T butter in heavy large saucepan over low heat. Add shallots, ginger, chilies and garlic and saute 5 minutes. Add wine and soy sauce and bring to boil. Add mussels; cover and cook until mussels open, about 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer mussels to bowl, discarding any that do not open. Remove mussels from shells; discard shells. Strain and reserve mussel cooking liquid.

Melt remaining 2 T butter in same saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks, fennel, onion, carrot and potato and saute 10 minutes. Add clam juice, bay leaf and reserved mussel cooking liquid and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Stir cream, saffron and mussels into soup and heat through; do not boil. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Bon Appetit/January/1994 Scanned & edited by Di Pahl & <gg>