Terra Americana

What's that song?  "The snow, it's snowing, the winds are blowing...can we weather this storm.."  I am sure I have it all wrong, but the words are streaming through my head.  It's winter.  It's cold and it's snowing.  It's time to put the screws to this weather.  A touch of sun and warmth is what is called for on this blustery day as the sun goes passed the yard arm.

• 1 cup orange juice, preferably fresh squeezed
• 1/4 cup vodka (I like Vikingford Potato Vodka)
• 2 splashs Cointreau
• 1/2 cup gingerale

Pour the first 3 ingredients in a shaker with 4 cubes of ice.  Shake vigorously for a couple minutes.  Divide the gingerale between two rocks glasses, with or without ice.   Pour the contents of the shaker over the gingerale.  

More great ideas for a snowy day:

• Seafood Chowder from Cape Breton

• Potato Chive Bread

• Caramel Apple Slab Pie

• Cinnamon Hot Toddy

Photo Credit:  Julie T Cecchini

I have just one question to ask; who's idea was this?  Really, in the dead of winter, you want us to eat mussels?  Thank you, this crustacean is truly one of my favorite foods.  They always remind me of wistful days on the Cote d'Azur and hearken the blue skies and warmer temps we knew before and will love again.  This dish was like a mini holiday.

• 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 medium Bermuda onion, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 tbsp Fish Sauce
• 2 tsp Lemon Ginger Curry
• 1 pinch Dried Szechuan Peppercorns (optional)
• ¾ cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 5 thyme sprigs
• 4 pounds mussels, scrubbed, de bearded if necessary
• 1 cup Coconut Milk

 

 

In a Dutch oven, melt coconut oil over low heat. Toss in the onions and thyme to coat with oil.  Drizzle on the fish sauce.  Sprinkle over the curry powder, add pepper and cook, for a couple minutes to soften the onion and toast the curry powder. Pour in the wine and lemon juice, increase the heat to medium, and simmer for a couple minutes more.

Toss the mussels in the pot and fold them into the sauce.  Increase heat to high and being sauce to a boil.  After 3 minutes check to see if some of the shells have opened.  If they have, turn the heat off, keep the lid on the pot, and let the mussels rest for 5 more minutes. 

 

Pour the coconut milk over the mussels and return the heat to high for as long as the sauce begins to boils again.  Allow to sit for another 5 minutes with the pot covered.  Transfer to a serving bowl.

 

Serve with crusty fresh bread or frites to enjoy this salacious sauce.