Shrimp and Mussels in Creamy Garlic Sauce is a luxurious seafood dish featuring shrimp and mussels cooked in a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic, white wine, and lemon. The combination of tender shrimp and mussels, coated in a velvety sauce, creates a perfect balance of savory flavors. Ideal for a special dinner or seafood lovers, this dish is quick to prepare yet feels indulgent.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 500g shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 500g mussels, cleaned and debearded

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream

• ½ cup (120ml) white wine

• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 lemon, juiced and zested

• 2 tablespoons butter

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Prepare the Seafood:

   • Clean the mussels under cold water, scrubbing the shells and discarding any that don’t open when tapped.

   • Peel and devein the shrimp if not already prepared.

2. Make the Garlic Cream Sauce:

   • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

   • Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.

   • Add the mussels to the skillet, cover, and cook for 5 minutes, or until the mussels open. Discard any mussels that do not open.

3. Cook the Shrimp:

   • Once the mussels are cooked, add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the shrimp turn pink.

4. Finish the Sauce:

   • Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, zest, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for a few more minutes to thicken.

5. Serve:

   • Serve immediately with crusty bread, pasta, or over rice to soak up the delicious creamy sauce.

Nutrients

Per Serving (1 serving):

• Calories: 450 kcal

• Fat: 30g

• Saturated Fat: 18g

• Carbohydrates: 10g

• Protein: 35g

• Sodium: 800mg

• Cholesterol: 200mg

• Sugar: 2g

• Fiber: 0g

Preparing the Seafood: Shrimp and Mussels

The dish starts with fresh shrimp and mussels. For the shrimp, you’ll want to peel and devein them, ensuring they’re ready to absorb the rich flavors of the sauce. Mussels should be cleaned under cold water and debearded. Discard any mussels that don’t open when tapped, as these are likely not fresh.

Both seafoods will be cooked in the same skillet, allowing their flavors to meld together in the creamy sauce. Mussels will cook first, as they need a little more time to open and release their briny juices. Shrimp cook quickly, turning pink in just a few minutes, making them the perfect complement to the mussels.

Making the Garlic Cream Sauce: Rich and Velvety

The creamy garlic sauce is the heart of this dish, providing a luscious base that coats the shrimp and mussels. The sauce begins with sautéing minced garlic in butter, which releases a fragrant, savory aroma that sets the stage for the rich creaminess to come. Once the garlic is fragrant, white wine is added and simmered for a few minutes, reducing it slightly to enhance the flavors.

The mussels are then added to the skillet and cooked until they open, releasing their natural juices into the sauce. This infuses the cream sauce with a rich seafood flavor. Once the mussels are cooked, the shrimp is added and cooked just until pink, ensuring that the shrimp remains tender and juicy.

The final touch is the heavy cream, which transforms the sauce into a velvety, rich base. Lemon juice and zest are added for a refreshing citrusy zing, while fresh parsley adds a burst of color and a bright herbal note. The sauce is seasoned with salt and pepper to taste, and a few minutes of simmering allows everything to thicken slightly.

Serving Shrimp and Mussels in Creamy Garlic Sauce

Shrimp and Mussels in Creamy Garlic Sauce is best served immediately, when the seafood is tender and the sauce is rich and creamy. For a well-rounded meal, serve the dish with a side of crusty bread to dip into the sauce, or serve it over pasta or rice to soak up every bit of the luscious cream sauce. You can garnish the dish with extra fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon for added brightness.

This dish is ideal for impressing guests at a dinner party or enjoying as a comforting, indulgent meal at home. The combination of seafood, creamy sauce, and aromatic garlic makes it a standout dish that’s both elegant and satisfying.

Why Shrimp and Mussels in Creamy Garlic Sauce is Perfect for Special Occasions

This dish is perfect for any occasion where you want to enjoy something indulgent yet not overly complicated. It’s quick to prepare, making it great for a weeknight dinner, but the luxurious ingredients and rich flavors also make it ideal for special celebrations. The creamy garlic sauce is what makes this dish feel indulgent and comforting, while the combination of shrimp and mussels brings sophistication and a touch of elegance to the table.

Whether you’re hosting a romantic dinner or preparing a seafood feast for a group, Shrimp and Mussels in Creamy Garlic Sauce is sure to impress with its bold flavors and beautiful presentation.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Shrimp and Mussels in Creamy Garlic Sauce contains approximately 450 calories, making it a rich yet satisfying option. With 35 grams of protein, it’s a great source of lean protein from the shrimp and mussels. The dish also contains 30 grams of fat, including 18 grams of saturated fat, which comes from the butter and cream.

The carbohydrates in this dish are relatively low at 10 grams, making it a good choice for those on a lower-carb diet. The sodium content is 800mg per serving, so if you’re watching your salt intake, be mindful of how much extra seasoning you add. The dish also provides 2 grams of sugar and 0 grams of fiber.

In terms of vitamins and minerals, this dish provides a good source of vitamin A (869 IU), which supports healthy vision, as well as a moderate amount of calcium (68mg) for bone health and iron (2mg), which helps in the formation of red blood cells.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Shrimp and Mussels in Creamy Garlic Sauce is an elegant, flavorful dish that brings together the delicate flavors of shrimp and mussels in a rich, creamy garlic sauce. It’s perfect for any special dinner or seafood lover, offering a luxurious meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare. With the bright citrus from lemon, the depth of white wine, and the smooth richness of cream, this dish is a perfect balance of savory, creamy, and slightly tangy flavors. Whether served with crusty bread, pasta, or rice, Shrimp and Mussels in Creamy Garlic Sauce is sure to become a favorite for any occasion.