Recipe for Salt Spring Mussels with Chorizo from Chef Johann Caner

Honey Salt, located in the Parq Casino in Vancouver, offers a contemporary, chef-driven, farm-to-table menu crafted by Executive Chef Johann Caner. A champion of local ingredients, Chef Caner highlights the best of BC’s bounty in every dish. One standout is the Salt Spring Mussels with Chorizo, a seasonal appetiser that always features shellfish from Salt Spring Island, home to BC’s first successful mussel farm. This flavorful recipe is elevated with the addition of Okanagan Cider, which brings a crisp sweetness that perfectly balances the spicy chorizo.

Recipe for Salt Spring Mussels with Chorizo

Salt Spring Mussels with Chorizo

Ingredients:

  • ½ Pound of Salt Spring Island Mussels
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • ½ tsp minced garlic
  • ½ cup diced chorizo sausage (cooked), divided
  • 6-8 pc. Tarrangon leaves
  • ½ cup Okanagan Apple Cider
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp. Chopped parsley
  • 1/6 pc. of a Baguette
  • 1 tbsp Herb garlic butter (can be substitute by regular butter)

Directions:

  1. Divide the chorizo in half and give a quick fry to one half and set aside, it should be crispy.
  2. In a deep saucepan at medium heat, add in the olive oil and sauté the minced garlic and the second half of the diced cooked chorizo until it gets a nice golden brown colour.
  3. Add in the mussels and cook until they open and release their juices.
  4. Deglaze with the apple cider, add the tarragon leaves and season with salt and pepper. Reduce the liquid by half.
  5. Finish by adding the butter, preferably in large knobs and cold as the idea is to emulsify the broth with the butter in order to get a creamy consistency.
  6. Finish by adding the chopped parsley before plating.
  7. Spread the herb garlic butter on the baguette and toast.
  8. Pour the mussels with their sauce in a bowl and garnish with the crispy fried chorizo and more chopped parsley. Serve the toasted baguette on the side and enjoy.

 

About Bronwyn Lewis 189 Articles
Bronwyn Lewis is a food writer for the Vancouver Guardian. She’s also a screenwriter and producer. Born and raised in Vancouver, Bronwyn lives in Mount Pleasant and you can follow all her food adventures on Instagram.