What's the secret ingredient in these cakes? Pudding mix. It not only adds flavor but it gives the cake a richer, creamier texture. No one will know your secret ingredient!

Mussels are steamed in a tangy lager sauce. Serve with lots of bread to sop up the delicious broth that results.
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 medium red onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, sliced thin
1 cup diced tomatoes, drained if using canned
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups lager
2 pounds mussels, scrubbed and debearded
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
crusty bread, as accompaniment
Melt the butter in a large pan over medium-high heat (do not let it burn). Add the onion, celery, tomatoes, garlic, thyme, bay leave, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are soft.
Add the lager and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the mussels. Cook, covered, for 4-6 minutes or until the mussels open. Transfer them to a serving bowl. Discard any unopened mussels.
Mix together the mustard and heavy cream. Stir into the lager liquid and mix well. Stir in the parsley and remove the bay leaf.
Pour the lager mixture over the mussels and serve immediately with crusty bread for sopping up the liquid.
Use fresh mussels for the best flavor and texture, but frozen ones can also be used if needed. No need to thaw them before adding to the lager mixture.
Cook the vegetables until they're soft but not browned for the best flavor base.
Bring the lager to a boil before adding the mussels. This way the liquid is at the right temperature to properly cook the mussels.
Covering the pan while cooking the mussels helps them cook more quickly and gently because it creates steam.
Serve the dish immediately to enjoy the mussels at their best.
Use crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.
Adjust the seasoning of the sauce to taste before serving.
Yes, you can use a different type of beer, but a lager works best for its light and crisp flavor.
Yes, debearding and scrubbing the mussels are important for removing sand and grit.
You can use light cream or half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce may be less rich.
You can use dried thyme, but reduce the amount to 1/3 teaspoon as it's more potent.
The mussels are cooked when they open. Discard any that remain closed after cooking.
Mussels are best cooked and served immediately for the best texture and flavor. You can prep the ingredients ahead of time to speed up the time it takes to make the recipe.
You can use whole grain mustard or a mild yellow mustard as a substitute.
Store leftover mussels in the refrigerator for up to 1 day, but note that reheating may change their texture. Be sure to reheat them very gently so the sauce doesn't separate and the mussels don't become tough.
You can use a non-alcoholic beer or a combination of vegetable broth and a splash of apple cider vinegar.
What's the secret ingredient in these cakes? Pudding mix. It not only adds flavor but it gives the cake a richer, creamier texture. No one will know your secret ingredient!
Not to be confused with evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk is very sweet (and very sticky) and used primarily in desserts.
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