Preparation time: 30-40 mins
Cooking time: 15-20 mins
4-6 servings
4 lbs. mussels, cleaned and debearded
salt and pepper to taste
6 slices bacon, chopped
2 tbsps lemon juice
1/2 cup onions, finely chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated or 3/4 cup parmesan cheese
1. Remove beards from mussels and rinse well. In a large covered saucepan, cook mussels in small amount of boiling water for 6-8 mins, or until shells open.
2. Preheat oven to 375 deg F.
3. Remove meat from shells and place in buttered 6-cup baking dish for pan. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with onion and lemon juice.
4. Cover with chopped bacon and sprinkle with cheese.
5. Bake at 375 deg for 15-20 mins or until bacon is cooked
On a sunny day, roll up your pants and stroll along the shoreline during low tide: you're sure to find bluish-black mussels clinging to the rocks in shallow water...there for the taking. And you're sure to find these tender mollusks truly delectable...a subtle blend of the delicate tastes of clams and oysters (although the cooked meat is usually sweeter).