Baked Mussels with Cheese

INGREDIENTS:

3 - 4 lbs mussels (New Zealand mussels)

1/2 cup butter or margarine

5 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup grated cheese, cheddar or mozzarella (Quick Melt type)

1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

Green onions (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

• Place mussels on a pan (no water), cover and cook over moderate heat.
  
• When shells open up, drain.
  
• Remove top shell.
• Melt butter, add minced garlic.
  
• Stir for 3 minutes.
• Brush each mussel meat with butter-garlic mixture, top with grated cheese and cover with bread crumbs. Add green onions as an optional topping.
  
• Arrange mussels on a baking sheet.
  
• Bake in pre-heated oven with a low heat (250F).
  
• 
  Bake for 10 – 15 minutes
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I enjoy seafood, in particular mussels. For my birthday this year (2012), i thought I would brave it and cook my seafood dish instead of going to a restaurant. It was so delicious. This recipe that I used was very very simple and it did not take long to make. Try it and you will see what  I mean.