Mix & Match Shellfish Bisque
Updated: Dec 5, 2019
CLAMS, MUSSELS & OYSTERS: How to REALISTICALLY incorporate them!! (w/ an easy recipe!)
Do you want to SERIOUSLY boost the nutrient density of your diet?
...But you are INTIMIDATED by shelled creatures of the sea like oysters, clams and mussels?
Not sure what the heck to do with them once you buy them?
How to store them?
Do they seem too expensive for your budget?
Dislike the texture or flavor of them?
NO WORRIES, I got you!!!
I created this seafood bisque as a super easy, frugal and tasty way to incorporate clams, mussels and/or oysters into your diet!
It's SUCH an easy convenient way to get a daily dose of these superfoods!
I make it in big batches and freeze it in portions. It seems to find its way into every meal! (I give loads of serving suggestions and ways to customize it after the recipe!)
This recipe is also extremely versatile- you can use canned clams, frozen chopped clams, frozen mussel meats, frozen shucked oysters, fresh shucked oysters or fresh chopped clams in it. (I'm not sure about canned oysters though...save those for your pimped out burgers- more on that in the video😉)
If you want to learn more about where to buy them, how to get the best price, how to store them, fresh vs frozen vs canned and ideas on how to use each one I highly recommend you watch this video!!
IN THIS VIDEO:
1:00 I compare the nutrition of common proteins like chicken, beef and shrimp to nutrient stars like oysters, clams, mussels and liver.
(***If you think you need to eat more beef because you need iron this is eye-opening!***)
(I use CRONOMETER for nutrition data!)
3:33 Is farmed shellfish ok to eat?
6:40 Convenient forms you can buy online:
CANNED clams, mussels, oysters and bottled clam juice plus ideas for using them, including how I seriously boost the nutrient content of ground beef!
9:36 FROZEN chopped clams, mussel meat, and shucked oysters. Prices, where to buy, and ideas for using them.
14:24 FRESH mussels, clams, oysters- how to tell if they're alive, how to prep and store them, how long you can store them, freezing them, ideas on what to do with them.
20:41 EASY FRUGAL & YUMMY SEAFOOD BISQUE recipe tutorial!
-----------RECIPES MENTIONED IN VIDEO----------
Meal prep video using frozen chopped clams
Idea for how to use clam/oyster/mussel cubes: Egg Roll In a Bowl
Hidden Liver Beef Scramble (Add 1 can of oysters, chopped along with the liver- It’s crazy good, and the only way I eat canned oysters!)
Okay, enough scrolling....sorry, I have a lot to say about these little sea heroes.
HERE IT IS!!!
🦪🦪🦪THE SEAFOOD BISQUE RECIPE!🦪🦪🦪
Makes 2-3 servings. (You might want to double or triple this recipe!!! It freezes well!)
Pick one or mix and match for a total of 3/4-1 lb!:
3/4 lb frozen mussel meats. (You don't need a whole pound because they are super meaty and not packaged with liquid)
6.5 oz canned mussels - 2 or 3 cans
6.5 oz canned clams- 2 or 3 cans. (If you get the 12 pack they are $4.41 per can. They are $5 a can at my local grocery store!) Thrive has the best price of all, 3.29/can!
1 lb fresh or frozen chopped clams in their own juice. I buy these locally, I can't find a good price online to link to. They are usually $5 or $6 a lb.
1 lb fresh or frozen shucked oysters along with juice. BEST price I could find anywhere! (If you buy enough to get free shipping it comes out to 18.88 per 16 oz.) (For comparison, BEST price possible using fresh shucked JUMBO sized oysters at only $1 each is still $24/lb! More common smaller oysters bought fresh will cost about $50 lb shucked meat!) PLEASE NOTE: Prices listed are as of September 2019. They may change...
1 lb Wild SALMON or other fish can also be used in this bisque.
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For the record:
FARMED VS WILD (applies to clams, mussels and oysters, NOT fish, shrimp, etc)
From Seafoodwatch.org:
"Shellfish aquaculture is considered a highly sustainable practice because the environmental impacts of farming plankton-filtering species are minimal. Feeds, fertilizers and chemicals are not used, and effluent and habitat impacts are very low."
More info if you are concerned about toxins, mercury, etc in clams, oysters and mussels.
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Other ingredients:
3/4 cup sliced onion
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dry thyme
1 tsp Salt
1/2 c coconut milk (Or substitute 1/2 c broth + 1 T olive oil)
1/2 c water or bottled CLAM JUICE (Is the B12 still in there after bottling? YES!)
Fresh lemon wedge (opt.)
Fresh dill or parsley (opt.)
Directions:
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a small pot. (You can cook with olive oil?? )
Add the onions and cook 2-3 minutes.
Add the garlic, salt and dry thyme and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the bottom of the pan starts to get a little brown.
Add in your choice of shellfish from the list above. Bring to a boil, lower and simmer 3-4 minutes, or until shellfish is totally defrosted (if starting from frozen) and fully cooked. Canned clams or mussels only need 1-2 minutes.
Add the coconut milk (or broth and oil) plus water to a full-sized blender.
Add the entire contents of your pot to the blender- shellfish, onions, garlic, all of it.
Blend well until smooth.
Feel free to add an extra tablespoon or 2 of olive oil for extra flavor and richness.
Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and dill or parsley as garnish. A few drizzles of coconut milk or cream on top looks pretty too. If you have any AIP sour cream in the fridge it would be GREAT here!
Delicious ways to customize & serve!!
Add a few spoonfuls of mashed white sweet potato to the finished bisque to thicken and add flavor!
Thin sliced or shredded raw green plantain can be added along with the shellfish and brought to a boil to seriously thicken this! Use about 1/2 plantain for the recipe and make sure to keep stirring so it doesn't stick to the pan!
Add chunks of roasted root vegetables, sweet potato, butternut squash, etc to the finished bisque. Oven roasted mushrooms would be amazing too!!
Add bacon crumbles at end, or add some raw to the pan while you are sauteeing the onion!
Caramelize some fennel bulb along with the onion and garlic for added flavor.
Feel free to also add bay leaf, carrots and celery to the base- I kept this recipe minimalistic to save time, but you can certainly go all out with it!
Add chopped shrimp or chunks of salmon to the finished bisque for added nutrition, texture and flavor- yum!
Add some plantain couscous at the end to make it extra hearty and filling!
My very favorite way to use this is as a pasta sauce over noodles!
I hope you love the bisque and it helps you to incorporate these incredible nutrient dense sea creatures into your everyday eating plan!!💕💕
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