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Mussels with Pancetta and Linguini

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Linguini in a robust red curry sauce crowned with fresh steamed mussels

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb mussels – rinsed and de-bearded
  • 8 oz bronze die-cut linguine
  • 5 oz pancetta – diced
  • 3 oz Thai Kitchen red curry paste
  • 2 TBL olive oil
  • 4 TBL unsalted butter – divided
  • 2 TBL rendered pancetta fat
  • 2 cloves garlic – chopped
  • 1 large shallot – diced small
  • 1 cup Chablis or dry white wine
  • 1/2 lemon – juiced
  • Salt – to taste
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced Italian tomatoes with liquid
  • 1 cup parsley – chopped
  • French baguette

Instructions

  1. Soak, sort, de-beard and clean the mussels carefully
  2. Prepare a pot of well salted water and bring to a boil
  3. Place the pancetta in a non-stick skillet over medium heat to render the fat – about 3-4 minutes, until the pancetta is very lightly crisped. Strain out the pancetta with a slotted spoon, reserve and set aside.
  4. Place 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat in a deep saute pan. Add the olive oil and 1 TBL of unsalted butter
  5. Start the linguini and boil. Reserve 2 cups of the pasta water. Remove and drain the linguine 2 minutes short of the manufacturer’s instructions – it will finish in the saute pan
  6. Place the shallot in the saute pan over medium heat and cook 1 minute while stirring, then add the garlic and cook 1 minute more until the shallot is soft
  7. Add the white wine, lemon juice, a half cup of pasta water and mussels to the saute pan. Cover and steam over medium-high heat. Shake the pan occasionally until the mussels have opened, about 5-8 minutes. Discard any that remain closed.
  8. Remove the mussels and reserve them in a covered pot to keep them warm
  9. Add the remaining butter to the pan with the diced tomatoes, thai red curry paste. Stir to combine and add the linguine.
  10. Stir and cook over medium low heat- about 2 minutes to finish the pasta. Add more pasta water if it becomes too dry. You should have enough broth to generously coat the linguine.
  11. Stir in half the chopped parsley and adjust the salt to taste
  12. Remove half the mussels from their shells and stir them into the pan, or plate and serve all of them in the shells at your discretion. Garnish with the remaining parsley and serve with a crusty baguette