Mussels Italian Style
Today, I'm excited to share with you a special culinary journey. This summer, I had the pleasure of welcoming my younger brother and his wife to Boston. My brother stays in Argentina for his job and finally made it here in Boston. Their visit was a much-anticipated reunion, and to make it even more memorable, I decided to whip up a full-course Italian meal, a tribute to our shared love for food and family.
Our culinary journey began with a Caprese Salad style. I got fresh heirloom tomatoes and basil from the farmer’s market. I chose ripe, juicy heirloom tomatoes, their vibrant colors a visual feast. The tomatoes were paired with homemade basil pesto, its fresh, aromatic flavor a perfect complement to the sweetness of the tomatoes. This dish was more than just a salad; it was a celebration of summer, a burst of Italian sunshine right here in Boston.
The next dish was Mussels Italian Style > Tomato and EVOO. I sourced the freshest mussels, their salty taste a reminder of the sea. The mussels were cooked in a rich tomato sauce, its tangy flavor enhancing the taste of the mussels. A generous extra virgin olive oil drizzle added a fruity note, rounding off the flavors beautifully. Each bite tasted the Italian coast, a culinary journey from Boston to Italy.
I prepared Ossobuco di Agnello, aka Slow Cooked Lamb Shank with Italian Broth, for the main course. The lamb shank, sourced from a local farm, was slow-cooked to tender perfection. The long cooking process allowed the flavors to develop fully, resulting in tender meat falling off the bone. The lamb was served in a rich Italian broth, its hearty flavor a perfect match for the robust taste of the lamb. This dish was a labor of love, a testament to the beauty of slow cooking and the depth of flavor it can achieve.
As we sat down to enjoy the meal, the room filled with laughter and stories, the food a catalyst for conversation and connection. Cooking this meal was not just about preparing food; it was about creating an experience, a memory that my brother, his wife, and I could share. It was about expressing my love and gratitude through the language I know best - food. And that, my friends, is the essence of cooking. It's more than just a means to an end; it's a journey, a story, a celebration of life and love. The best part was they hung out with my daughter.
As we said our goodbyes, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the bond we share, which is strengthened by our love for food. And as they left, I knew that the memories we created that day would stay with us, a reminder of a beautiful summer day spent in the company of loved ones.
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2023
- May 14, 2023 Biceps Rissoto
- Feb 14, 2023 Chicken Confit
- Jan 31, 2023 Wild Boar with Wagyu Ragù
- Jan 8, 2023 Lobster and Salmon Roe Pasta
- Jan 7, 2023 “Okuizome” (first meal) for Lui
- Jan 1, 2023 Osechi 2023
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2022
- Dec 25, 2022 French Cassoulet 2022
- Dec 24, 2022 Duck breast marmalade
- Nov 24, 2022 Thanksgiving 2022
- Nov 19, 2022 Buffalo Testicle
- Nov 6, 2022 Meal Prep for my Family
- Aug 21, 2022 Pescatore Boston
- Aug 14, 2022 Mussels Italian Style
- Aug 12, 2022 Steak with foie gras
- Jan 31, 2022 Capon Covered with Caul Fat
- Jan 1, 2022 Osechi 2022
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2021
- Dec 25, 2021 French Cassoulet 2021
- Dec 24, 2021 Duck breast Balsamic vinegar glaze
- Nov 25, 2021 Thanksgiving 2021
- Sep 18, 2021 Pigeonneau (squab)
- Sep 12, 2021 Summer Salad
- Jul 25, 2021 Bison Bulgogi
- Jul 18, 2021 Bison Bolognese
- Jul 4, 2021 Epic Surf & Turf
- Jun 26, 2021 OMAD
- May 7, 2021 Pan Seared Pork Chops
- Apr 25, 2021 Rice malt marinated NY strip steak
- Apr 17, 2021 Pasta & Salad
- Mar 6, 2021 Lamb Ribs with Blackcurrant sauce
- Mar 3, 2021 Chicken with Mustard Butter Sauce
- Feb 26, 2021 Joi's Ginisang Pechay with Ground Pork and Shrimp
- Feb 14, 2021 “Okuizome” (first meal) for Lumi
- Jan 31, 2021 Slow Braised Wild Bore
- Jan 1, 2021 Osechi 2021
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2020
- Dec 25, 2020 French Cassoulet 2020
- Dec 24, 2020 Sauteed Duck breast with Foie Gras
- Nov 26, 2020 Thanksgiving 2020
- Sep 20, 2020 Buffalo Testicles Stew
- Aug 16, 2020 Beef Tongue Stew
- Jun 16, 2020 Kitchari Cleanse
- May 9, 2020 Tagliatelle con Gamberi e Melanzane
- Feb 15, 2020 Pasta Negra con Langostinos
- Feb 14, 2020 Salted Cod on Carrot Purée
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2019
- Dec 28, 2019 New England Favorite
- Nov 28, 2019 Thanksgiving 2019
- Aug 4, 2019 Buffalo Spleen
- May 12, 2019 Pichania
- Mar 29, 2019 Probiotic Sour Soup
- Feb 14, 2019 Uni carbonara
- Jan 31, 2019 Faisan rôti
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2018
- Nov 23, 2018 Thanksgiving 2018
- Oct 22, 2018 Short Rib or Vegan Bolognese
- Jun 18, 2018 Meatless Monday
- May 5, 2018 Venison Medley
- Jan 31, 2018 Beef tongue
- Jan 1, 2018 New year 2018
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2017
- Dec 25, 2017 Cassoulet
- Nov 20, 2017 Fermented Foods
- Sep 2, 2017 Crépinette
- Jul 16, 2017 Sourdough Bread
- May 7, 2017 Kombucha Challenge
- Apr 28, 2017 Keto Meal Ideas
- Apr 3, 2017 Miracle Noodles
- Jan 31, 2017 Braised lamb belly
- Jan 7, 2017 Venison Steak
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2016
- Dec 9, 2016 Beaujolais nouveau & Venison
- Oct 16, 2016 Gibier and Bordeaux
- Sep 20, 2016 Lapin Braisé à la Bière
- Jul 16, 2016 Opus One 2008
- Jul 3, 2016 Meatless Meatball
- Jul 1, 2016 Paleo Friendly Plate
- May 22, 2016 Le Fromage de Tête
- May 6, 2016 Gluten Free Challenge 4
- Apr 28, 2016 Spaghetti Squash
- Apr 21, 2016 Intermittent Fasting
- Apr 16, 2016 Potée
- Apr 14, 2016 Sauerkraut
- Mar 27, 2016 Gluten Free Challenge 3
- Mar 18, 2016 Detox Pasta
- Feb 24, 2016 COTELETTES D'AGNEAU
- Feb 21, 2016 Ratatouille
- Feb 9, 2016 Atelierkitchen Zen 3
- Jan 21, 2016 Galette for Cheat Meal
- Jan 14, 2016 Zucchini Pasta
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2015
- Nov 30, 2015 Filet de Canard à la grenade
- May 24, 2015 Osso Bucco lamb shank
- May 7, 2015 Paella de Quinoa
- Apr 7, 2015 Gluten Free Challenge 2
- Mar 31, 2015 Gluten Free Challenge
- Mar 17, 2015 Atelierkitchen Zen 2
- Mar 11, 2015 Fegatto di Vittello al burro all'aglio
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2014
- Oct 17, 2014 Atelierkitchen Zen
- Sep 15, 2014 Duck Again!
- Aug 18, 2014 Duck is the best
- Jun 16, 2014 Caramelized Pork belly
- Jun 9, 2014 Monkfish Risotto
- May 27, 2014 Summer Vegetables Curry
- May 15, 2014 Beef achilles
- May 8, 2014 Crystal Clear Ramen
- Feb 3, 2014 Choux farci au Saumon (Salmon stuffed Cabbage)
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2013
- Jun 13, 2013 Chicken with Avocado Pesto
- Apr 1, 2013 Manitas de cerdo guisadas
- Mar 20, 2013 Fiber Madness Marinara Sauce
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2012
- Nov 11, 2012 Pumpkin Carbonara
- Sep 22, 2012 Pate de Fois
- Sep 12, 2012 Pulpo a la Gallega
- Sep 7, 2012 Lemon Garlic Pasta with Chicken, Red and Green
- Sep 6, 2012 Shrimp and Eggplant with Spicy tomato
- Jul 26, 2012 Black ink Pasta with Shrimp and Scallop
- Jul 19, 2012 Lobster Pasta with Tomato Cream Pasta
- Jun 16, 2012 Ragu alla Bolognese
- Jun 16, 2012 Bolognese with Eggplant
- Jun 6, 2012 Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
- Jun 4, 2012 Homemade Sangria
- May 20, 2012 Spring Vegetable with Cream sauce Pasta
- May 15, 2012 Carbonara
- May 9, 2012 Risotto di Vongole e Fungi
- Mar 28, 2012 Squid and Sea Urchin with Lemon Pasta
- Mar 28, 2012 Luxury Seafood with Tomato Cream Pasta
- Mar 19, 2012 Linguine alle Vongole Rosso
- Mar 18, 2012 Linguine alle Vongole Bianco