Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 2 to 2 1/2 pounds fresh live mussels
  • 3 slices bacon, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 large apple, diced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper, preferably white
  • 1 8-ounce bottle clam juice, see ingredient note*
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley

Instruction

  • under cold running water. Pull off any “beards” with fingers and a pairing knife. If a mussel shell is open, gently tap it on the counter. Discard any mussels that do not close up after tapping. Set aside in a colander.
  • Place bacon in a large heavy-bottomed Dutch Oven over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally until crisp, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper-towel lined plate and pour off any bacon fat.
  • Return the Dutch oven to medium heat and add oil. Add garlic, celery, onion, apple, salt, thyme and pepper and cook, stirring often until the apple and vegetables are starting to soften and brown slightly, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in clam juice and cider vinegar, increase heat to high, cover and bring to a boil. Stir in the mussels, cover and cook, stirring once or twice until the mussel shells are opened 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cooked bacon and parsley. Discard any mussels that didn’t open.