Dateline: February 10, 2021 Another Lunar New Year Celebration: Ma La Shrimp and Mussels with Black Bean Sauce

 I had ordered from FD some Shrimp and Mussels, and was trying to figure out what to do with them when it hit me.....Gong Hei Fat Choy!

Another Lunar New Year Food Celebration

I used the Ma La Shrimp recipe and another Fuchsia Dunlop recipe for Clams in Black Bean Sauce.

I had the left over lotus root from yesterday, so that went into the Ma La Shrimp!

Fuchsia Dunlop's Clams In Black Bean Sauce

2 lb clams, in the shell....I subbed in mussels

3 T oil

2.5 T fermented black beans, rinsed and drained

2 t finely chopped ginger

1 T finely chopped garlic

1.5 fresh red chillies, cut into thin diagonal slices

3 T finely chopped bell pepper, she specifies green, I used yellow

2 T Shaoxing wine

1 t dark soy sauce

1 t light soy sauce

1 t cornstarch or potato starch dissolved in 2 T cold water

2 T finely chopped scallions

Method

1.  Rinse and debeard mussels, discard any that are open and/or have broken shells.  Pour 2 cups of water into a pot with a lid (that can hold all the mussels) and bring to a boil.

2.  When it comes to a rolling boil, add the mussels and put the lid on.  Every so often, open the lid and stir.  This should only take 3-5 minutes max for all the mussels to open.  Remove them to a separate bowl and save the liquid.

3.  In a wok, heat the oil and when hot add the black beans, ginger, garlic, chillies and bell pepper, stir fry until they smell wonderful.  Pour in 2/3 c of the mussel cooking liquid and bring to a boil.  Skim if necessary, then season with Shaoxing and soy sauces.  

3.  Stir the cornstarch or potato starch slurry and add to wok in 2 or 3 additions, using just enough to given the sauce the consistency of light cream.  Remove from heat, and add in the scallions and mussels.  Serve.

Likewise, I had the carrot ribbons and snow peas from last night as well.  I used a bit more of the mussel cooking liquid and more cornstarch slurry.

I keep trying, but mussels just don't really make me happy, I would have loved this with clams, but sadly, FD did not have any of the lovely little cockles that they often have.  Sigh, so Bill got to eat lots of mussels and I made due with the Ma La Shrimp.....Tee Hee, I think I came out the winner in this one!