"My boyfriend and I can't get enough of the Caribbean and Latin foods at Babalu's in St. Louis," writes Traci Anderson of St. Louis, MO. "We love the curry-coconut steamed mussels. Is it possible to persuade the chef to share his secret?"

　　Active time: 40 min Start to finish: 1 hr

　　

Ingredients

Makes 2 servings

　　1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

　　2 garlic cloves, minced

　　1 tablespoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger

　　2 tablespoons vegetable oil

　　1/2 cup dry white wine

　　1/2 cup fresh orange juice

　　1/4 cup fresh lime juice

　　1 teaspoon curry powder

　　1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

　　3/4 teaspoon lightly crumbled saffron threads

　　1 bay leaf (not California)

　　1 (14-oz) can unsweetened coconut milk

　　1 tomato, peeled, seeded, and chopped

　　1/2 tablespoon sambal oelek (chile paste)

　　2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

　　2 lb mussels (preferably cultivated), well scrubbed

　　Accompaniment: lime wedges

　　

Step 1

Cook onion, garlic, and ginger in oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring frequently, until onion is softened. Stir in wine, juices, curry powder, thyme, saffron, bay leaf, coconut milk, tomato, and sambal oelek, then simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until reduced slightly, about 15 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Add cilantro and mussels and cook, covered, over high heat just until mussels open, 3 to 4 minutes (discard any unopened mussels), then season with salt. Serve immediately.