For potato salads, my dressing of choice is usually a simple vinaigrette—here no more than oil and vinegar—augmented by a handful each of chopped shallots for crunch and flavor and parsley for color and freshness. The result is a great summer dish, good-looking and good tasting. As it stands, this is a potato salad with mussels; if you like, you can increase the amount of mussels, by as much as double, giving each component equal weight.

　　

Ingredients

makes 4 servings

　　2 pounds mussels, well washed and debearded

　　2 pounds waxy potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

　　1/2 cup dry white wine or water

　　1/2 cup chopped shallot or red onion

　　1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, or more to taste

　　1/2 cup balsamic or sherry vinegar

　　Salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, dill, chives, or a combination

　　

Step 1

Combine the mussels, potatoes, and wine or water in a broad, steep-sided skillet or casserole. Cover and turn the heat to high. When steam arises from the top, shake the pan once or twice and turn the heat to medium. Continue to cook until all the mussels open, checking after 5 minutes or so and then every couple of minutes. When the mussels are done, use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer them to a plate; leave the potatoes in the skillet and re-cover.

　　

Step 2

Cook until the potatoes are almost tender, then remove the cover and turn the heat to high, cooking until most of the liquid evaporates and the potatoes are done. By this time, the mussels will be cool enough to remove from their shells; do so, putting them in a large bowl.

　　

Step 3

When the potatoes are done, add them to the bowl with the mussels and the shallot, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary. Serve immediately, an hour or two later, or cold, stirring in the herb(s) at the last moment.

　　From Mark Bittman's Quick and Easy Recipes From the New York Times by Mark Bittman Copyright (c) 2007 by Mark Bittman Published by Broadway Books.Mark Bittman is the author of the blockbuster Best Recipes in the World (Broadway, 2005) and the classic bestseller How to Cook Everything, which has sold more than one million copies. He is also the coauthor, with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, of Simple to Spectacular and Jean-Georges: Cooking at Home with a Four-Star Chef. Mr. Bittman is a prolific writer, makes frequent appearances on radio and television, and is the host of The Best Recipes in the World, a 13-part series on public television. He lives in New York and Connecticut.