Prepare this simple recipe for Beer Braised Mussels with Andouille Sausage using either mussels or clams. Great for lunch or dinner. Low in fat and calories, very high in flavor
The making of Beer Braised Mussels with Andouille Sausage
Sunday afternoon, working in the garden on a beautiful winter's day. It's 72ºF in Sonoma County in the middle of January; how can we resist going outside to play? We can't. But once you get playing in the dirt, there's not a good time to brush yourself off and go out to lunch. It's a good time to eat at home, in your own backyard.
Since BB and I got our Fitbit Charge for Christmas, we have been tracking our food consumption (and there can be no lying or excuse-making when you write each thing down) and we realized that we have been a bit lax in several places in our diet. Especially with our lunches out.
While BB travels a lot for business, and in his travels is host to a lot of wine/food events, we are always very careful about taking only a bite or two of each dish, leaving much delicious and rich food on the plate. But when we go out to lunch, sometimes it's a burger and fries. A hot pastrami sandwich. Can you say, Rueben? Not exactly "get me thin" food. And like the frog sitting in the pot of hot water not realizing he is being cooked...weight goes on very slowly. Until one day you realize, YIKES...I'm getting fat. When did that happen?
Mussels are an extremely good option as a lean protein.
So I'm trying to come up with new, healthier options for our at-home lunch. Something better than a grilled sandwich, or a chili dog. We like mussels... mussels are in season... so I thought of this recipe for Beer Braised Mussels with Andouille Sausage. Mussels are a very lean protein with only 70 calories per 3 ounces of meat and 1.7 grams of fat, so this recipe fits the bill. You can make this with clams if you so choose, but since clamshells are heavy and mussel shells are light, I prefer mussels ... you get more for your $$.
Andouille sausage is a smoky slightly spicy sausage and it gives this dish a lot of flavor. I used al Fresco chicken Andouille sausage. With only 120 calories and 6 grams of fat per link, it gives you all the flavor with less fat. If you can't find them, use another brand, your numbers will be slightly higher than mine, but still in a good healthy range. Just be sure to get a smoked sausage made with chicken.
To give this recipe more flavor, I added some sliced fennel along with onions, tomato, and of course, a very flavorful beer, in my case Anchor Steam. You could also use a Belgium Ale, larger, or whatever beer turns you on. Just remember, the beer and the sausage are what add the flavor, so be sure to use good flavors upfront and you will have good flavors in the end product.
This dish was really fast to put together once it was prepped, and the prep time wasn't long at all; about 10 minutes.
Just a quick dice of the sausage, a quick chop of some onion and fennel, canned diced tomato with juice, a good quality beer, and of course, the cleaned lively mussels and voila...
LindySez: A perfect low-fat yet satisfying lunch on the patio while enjoying the fruits of our labor, and our chickens, both metal and real.
* How to Prepare and Cook Fresh Mussels.
Beer Braised Mussels with Andouille Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds fresh live mussels in their shells cleaned*
- 1 link Andouille sausage diced into a small dice
- 1 cup sliced onion (about ½ large onion) I cut mine into quarters and then sliced about ¼ inch thick
- ½ of a fennel bulb cut about the same size as the onion
- 3 cloves garlic rough chop
- I teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup diced tomato with their juice I always lightly crush mine so they aren't too big
- 1 pint beer such as Anchor Steam
- Large Pinch red pepper flakes or to taste
- 1 bay leaf torn in half
Instructions
- In a deep pot or wok (I like to use my wok for this dish); heat the oil over medium heat; add the sausage and sauté until fragrant. Add the onion, fennel and garlic, sauté for about 5 - 7 minutes or until tender but not soft, then add the tomatoes and juice, the bay leaf and red pepper flakes stir well. Add the mussels along with the beer; bring to a simmer. Cook until the mussels begin to open (remove the mussels to warmed bowls as they open so they don't overcook.). Discard any unopened mussels. Divide the broth and all the delicious veggies between the two bowls and serve.
Elaine Schoch says
Looks amazing... I have to stop reading your site before lunch.
Cher says
Fabulous dish, Linda! I've never tried mussels but am absolutely willing after reading this recipe!!
LindySez says
Cher, If I can get one person to try one new thing that is a little out of their comfort zone, I am one happy camper. Try this one. I think you will like it as your introduction to mussels. Cheers ~ Lindy