Cooking with Paula McIntyre - Mussels With Pancetta, Cider And Orzo Pasta

Download Mussels With Pancetta, Cider And Orzo Pasta

Recipe

1kg mussels, scrubbed
250ml dry cider
100g pancetta or streaky bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon oil
25g butter
1 leek, split, washed and chopped
150g orzo
250ml chicken stock
Handful chopped parsley

Heat a large saucepan with a lid until smoking hot. Add half the cider and then the mussels. Place the lid on top and steamed for 2 minutes. Check and remove any that are open. Return lid and steam for another minute. Check and remove until all the mussels are open. Remove the meat from the mussels and set aside. Strain the mussel liquor and set aside.
Heat the oil in a pan and add the pancetta. Cook until crispy then add the butter and leeks. Cook for a minute then add the mussel liquor, stock and orzo. Place a lid on top and cook for 12 minutes or until pasta is cooked. Add the mussels and parsley, heat for a minute then serve.

Published on Saturday, 8th November 2025.

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