OVEN STEAMED MUSSELS WITH HARD CIDER AND BACON

Oven-Steamed Mussels with Hard Cider and Bacon

Serves 4

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces

1 cup dry hard cider

3 sprigs fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

4 pounds mussels, scrubbed and debearded

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 500 degrees. Heat oil and bacon in large roasting pan over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon has rendered and is starting to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add cider, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves and bring to boil. Cook until cider is slightly reduced, about 1 minute. Add mussels and salt. Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil and transfer to oven. Cook until most mussels have opened (a few may remain closed), 15 to 18 minutes.

Remove pan from oven. Push mussels to sides of pan. Add cream to center and whisk until incorporated. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves, sprinkle parsley over mussels, and toss to combine. Serve immediately.