Traeger Smoked Mussels With Salsa Verde

Summertime Seaside Deliciousness!!

These mussels are absolutely one of my favourite things on the planet. Perfect for a light lunch or afternoon snack with friends – butter, garlic, and fragrant apple cider, topped with beautiful salsa verde, and kissed with Traeger wood-fired goodness! Yes Please. A surefire sunshine recipe hit!

Traeger Smoked Mussels with Salsa Verde

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Mussels

¼ cup butter

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup apple cider

3 pounds mussels, cleaned & scrubbed

Fresh lemons & crusty bread, to serve

Salsa Verde

1 small bunch of fresh chives

1 small bunch of tarragon

1 small bunch of basil

1 small bunch of flat-leaf parsley

1 garlic clove, peeled and roughly chopped

Juice of ½ a lemon

200 ml extra -virgin olive oil

Sea salt & fresh cracked black pepper

1. When ready to cook, start the Traeger grill on Smoke with the lid open until the fire is established (4 to 5 minutes). Set the temperature to 350 degrees F and preheat lid closed, 10-15 minutes. Awesome. 

2. Heat a cast-iron (or oven-safe) pan over medium heat, and melt the butter. When melted, add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds (keep watch that it doesn’t burn), then pour in the apple cider and bring to a simmer. Add the mussels, cover with a tight fitting lid, and transfer to the Traeger. Cook for 8 – 10 minutes, or until the mussels have opened (discard any mussels that do not open).

3. While the mussels are cooking, crack on with the salsa verde. Combine the fresh herbs and garlic in a food processor (or high powered blender) and finely chop. Add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. With the blender running on low, drizzle in the olive oil in a slow & steady stream until thick and glorious.

4. Serve up those beautiful wood-fire kissed mussels with the salsa verde, lemon wedges, and crusty bread. Delicious!