Mussel fritters

Tamara West

There are many ways to make mussel fritters but the one I like best uses this simple fritter batter and raw mussels. They have a delicious lightness to them and somehow just taste fresher. Use an old bread and butter knife to carefully slide in between the two closed mussel shells, then cut through the little eye muscle that holds it shut. Once open, cut out the flesh, place in a food processor and blend up or chop them by hand. Of course you can serve these fritters any way you want — but they’re great just on bread with a bit of good old Kiwi mayo.

Fritters

1	Egg
¼ cup	Milk
½ cup	Flour
½ tsp	Baking powder
12	Mussels, fresh, approximately 250g raw mussel meat, chopped
½ cup	Spring onions, sliced
1 sprinkle	Paprika, to taste
1 splash	Grapeseed oil, or rice bran oil, to fry

Kiwi mayo

200 ml	Malt vinegar
1 Tbsp	Mustard powder
1 can	Sweetened condensed milk
100 ml	Milk
½ tsp	Fine salt

Directions

Fritters

1. Whisk the egg in a bowl then add milk, sprinkle in the flour and baking powder and whisk to form a smooth batter.
2. Add chopped raw mussels, spring onion and season with salt, pepper and a little paprika.
3. Place a large non-stick frying pan on a medium heat and brush with a little oil.
4. Cook large spoonfuls of fritter mix for 2 minutes then carefully flip over and cook for another minute.
5. Brush a small amount of extra oil on the pan and continue cooking the remaining fritter mix. Serve between slices of buttered fresh bread.

Kiwi mayo

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of the malt vinegar into the mustard powder to make a smooth paste.
2. Combine the remaining ingredients, whisking to form a smooth dressing.