Sauteed Mussels (mejillones Salteados)

Total Time: 23 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 8 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 1/2 dozen medium mussels, scrubbed, debearded, cleansed of sand
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 slice lemon
• 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika (preferably spanish smoked)
• 1/2 medium-hot dried red chili pepper (such as spanish guindilla or guajillo)

Recipe

• 1 place the mussels in a skillet with the water and the lemon slice.
• 2 bring to a boil and remove the mussels as they open; do not overcook.
• 3 discard the shells and drain the mussel meat on paper towels.
• 4 heat the oil in a medium skillet; stir fry the mussels for a minute and remove.
• 5 add the onion and garlic; saute slowly, covered, for about 5 minutes.
• 6 remove from the heat; stir in the parsley, paprika, and chile pepper.
• 7 return the skillet to the heat and add the mussels (with their accumulated juices).
• 8 give the mussels a turn in the sauce just to heat them, remove from heat, cover, and let sit for a minute or two before serving.
• 9 the mussels are also good at room temperature.