Naptown Moules (Rules!)

Teddy Folkman

Naptown Moules (Rules!)

Mussels in homemade broth
Course: Main Course

Ingredients
  

Crab and Corn Stock
  • 1 lb crab shells Substitute 3 tbsp Minor's Crab base for shells
  • 2 stalks celery sliced in 2 in pieces
  • 1 large carrot sliced in 2 in pieces
  • 2 cobs corn
  • 1 large onion large dice
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 bottle citrus flavored IPA
  • 2 qts cold water
Base Sauce
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 4 cups half and half
  • 1 cup yellow onion chopped
  • 4 cups crab and corn stock
Mussels
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 lb Roma Old Bay Sausage diced
  • 2 ears corn grilled and cut from husk, save cobs for stock
  • 4 lbs mussels
  • 11/2 qts base sauce

Method
 

Crab and Corn Stock
  1. Roast the crab shells at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until they become brittle.
  2. Place crab shells in a large plastic bag (1 gallon freezer bag works best) and with a mallet or similar object, crush the crab shells.
  3. In a large pot, sweat the carrots, onions, celery and garlic until soft.
  4. Add in corn cobs and crab shells.
  5. Stir all ingredients and turn up heat to medium high and add in bottle of IPA.
  6. Cook for 3 minutes and then add in water.
  7. Turn heat down to a simmer and allow mixture to reduce for about 45 minutes (mixture should reduce by about 1/3).
  8. Strain through a fine mesh strainer (use cheesecloth if you have it in order to eliminate shells).
  9. Cool and store in labeled container.
Base Sauce
  1. Melt butter in saucepan on medium low heat; stir in flour, onion.
  2. Cook until thickened and bubbly (5 minutes).
  3. Gradually add half and half; cook and stir until mixture is hot (do not boil).
  4. Slowly add in crab and corn stock (do not boil).
  5. Simmer for 5 minutes and set aside.
Mussels
  1. In a large sauté pan brown sausage and corn in butter.
  2. Add in mussels.
  3. Stir for one minute.
  4. Add in base sauce.
  5. Continue to stir mussels. At about 4 minutes they will start to open.
  6. At about 6 minutes, all mussels should be open. Discard those that do not open.
  7. Continue to cook for 2 more minutes
  8. If sauce is too thick add water.
  9. Season with salt and pepper and serve with a loaf of crusty bread.