Maryland Mussels Appetizer

Ingredients:

3/4 cup white wine

3/4 cup tomato and clam juice cocktail

3 cloves garlic – peeled and sliced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 pound mussels, cleaned and de-bearded

3 tablespoons butter

Directions:

In a stock pot, combine the wine, juice cocktail, garlic and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and add mussels.Cover and continue to boil for about 4 to 6 minutes or until all the mussels have opened.Discard any mussels that haven’t opened.Remove mussels from liquid and keep warm. Pour off liquid to leave about 1 cup. Try not to discard the garlic. Boil the 1 cup of liquid until it’s reduced to about 3/4 of a cup.Add butter and stir until butter has melted and sauce has thickened slightly. Serve mussels with sauce.