Steamed Mussels with Leeks, Fennel and Carrots
Mussels steamed open in a lemony pot of sweet leeks, fennel and carrots, with broth good enough to spoon up.
- AIP
- Celiac
- Hashimoto's
- PCOS
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pregnancy
- Toddlers
- Dairy-free
- Alpha-gal
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart health
- Gluten-free
- Crohn’s and colitis
- High cholesterol
- Keto
- Low-GI
- Paleo
- Kid-friendly
- One pan
- Quick
- Gluten-free dairy-free
Ingredients
- 1 kg fresh mussels, scrubbed and debearded
- 2 leeks, sliced
- 1 fennel bulb, sliced thin
- 2 carrots, sliced into thin rounds
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 lemon, zest and juice
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
Method
- Soften leeks, fennel and carrots in oil over medium heat.8 min timer
- Add garlic, water, lemon zest and salt; bring to a simmer.
- Add mussels, cover and steam until the shells open.6 min timer
- Discard any unopened shells and lift out the kids' share.Kids’ plate comes out here
- Finish the pot with parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Kids’ plate: Treasure pot mussels
On the plate: Chopped mussel meat out of the shells, soft leeks, fennel and carrots, and a little cup of broth for spooning.
Make it a game: Treasure hunt: count the little pieces of sea treasure hiding among the vegetables.
Set it aside at step 4, before the grown-ups’ sauce or spice goes on.
Why it works
- Autoimmune protocol (AIP): No grains, dairy, eggs or nightshades: shellfish and vegetables steamed in a lemon-olive oil broth.
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Naturally gluten-free shellfish and vegetables with garlic, lemon and parsley, no soy or seaweed.
- Pregnant: The mussels steam until their shells open in a broth made with water and lemon, no wine.
- Toddler (1–3): Small chopped mussel pieces and soft-sweet leeks and carrots to spoon up.
- Kid (4–12): Broth to spoon and dip, with tender mussels and sweet vegetables.
AIP check: watch for nightshade spices (paprika, chili, cayenne), seed spices (cumin, coriander seed), seed oils and hidden sugar. Gluten gives food ideas, not medical advice: always check labels for allergens and cross-contact.
Cooking for more than one diet?
Add everyone you cook for, with their allergies, diets and ages. Gluten checks this recipe for each of them and tells you what to change for anyone who can’t eat it as written. It’s free.
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This recipe also fits: Celiac recipes, Hashimoto's recipes, PCOS recipes, Anti-inflammatory recipes, Pregnancy recipes, Toddlers recipes, Dairy-free recipes, Alpha-gal recipes, Diabetes recipes, High blood pressure recipes, Heart health recipes, Gluten-free recipes, Crohn’s and colitis recipes, High cholesterol recipes, Keto recipes, Low-GI recipes, Paleo recipes, Kid-friendly recipes, One pan recipes, Quick recipes, Gluten-free dairy-free recipes.