RISO, PATATE E COZZE
Prep: 50 min | Cooking Time: 40 min |Resting Time Suggested: 24 hr.
| Serve: 2
|
A layered symphony of land and sea brings together a delightful array of ingredients: tender, creamy potatoes, briny, succulent mussels, and perfectly al dente rice, all melded harmoniously together in a golden, flavorful bake. This exquisite dish serves as a true testament to the rich and vibrant taste of Puglia’s cherished culinary heritage.
Ingredients
500 gr of cleaned mussels
500 gr Desiree potatoes
1 Garlic clove
2 Tsp breadcrumbs
1 bunch Italian parsley
400 ml vegetable stock
300 gr Carnaroli rice
Handful of cherry tomatoes
50 gr Grated parmesan
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Method
With a small, sharp knife, carefully open the mussels while they are still raw, making sure to preserve all the flavorful liquid inside. This process is quite similar to the way one would handle oysters, ensuring that none of the exquisite essence is lost during preparation.
Mix the homemade breadcrumbs thoroughly with finely chopped garlic and half of the fresh parsley, ensuring an even distribution, then combine it all with a generous drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil to enhance the flavors.
Peel the potato thoroughly and then slice them into pieces that are approximately 1 cm thick, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking.
In a beautifully crafted terracotta tray, which is highly recommended for its exceptional heat retention properties, begin by adding a generous drizzle of high-quality oil at the bottom. Next, carefully lay out the thinly sliced potatoes in an even, overlapping fashion. To enhance the flavors, season them liberally with freshly ground salt, cracked pepper, and a scattering of fragrant parsley.
Lay the open mussels on top nice and flat, ensuring they are presented beautifully, and then generously sprinkle the fresh parmesan cheese over them.
On this step, you will need to carefully add the raw rice along with the vibrant cherry tomatoes that have been previously cut in half.
Add the flavorful liquid from the freshly cooked mussels, then begin to create another layer with thinly sliced potatoes, plump mussels, and perfectly cooked rice. Finally, on top, generously sprinkle the breadcrumbs mixture to achieve a delightful, golden crust.
Gently press it down a bit with your hands, ensuring an even surface, then carefully add from the edge of the tray a rich, boiling stock until it reaches just the top of the tray, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
A delicate drizzle of high-quality olive oil on top of the dish will enhance its flavor, then bake it in the oven for a precise 40 minutes at a temperature of 180 degrees Celsius for perfect results.
It will result in a beautifully golden and irresistibly crispy texture on the top, while the rest of the dish requires a careful resting period of 24 hours to develop its full flavor and richness.
Before you proceed to reheat it, be sure to add a couple of glasses of water to ensure that it remains moist and flavorful. Keep the oven temperature at a steady 150 degrees Celsius for approximately 20 minutes, allowing those delightful flavors to meld together beautifully before serving it to your guests.
This exquisite dish serves as a profound testament to the remarkable Harmony that exists between simple, yet high-quality ingredients and the art of meticulous preparation. The true key lies in the intricate layering: each component—potatoes, rice, and mussels—cooks together in perfect unison, absorbing the vibrant flavors and releasing their true essence into the dish. Allowing the dish to rest after baking enhances its taste, allowing all the elements to meld beautifully, making it even more delightful when served warm or at a comfortable room temperature. It’s a dish that brings people together in joyous harmony, perfect for family gatherings or for sharing delightful moments with friends.
📜 A Bit of History
Riso, Patate e Cozze, also known as the beloved Tiella Barese, is a cornerstone of Apulia cuisine, particularly cherished in the Bari region. The name “Tiella” intriguingly refers to the traditional earthenware dish, often beautifully crafted, that is used for baking this delightful dish. This time-honored recipe exemplifies the region’s remarkable resourcefulness, harmoniously combining readily available ingredients sourced from both land and sea. Historically, it served as a creative way to maximize the potential of local produce and freshly caught seafood, resulting in a hearty meal capable of feeding many. Over the years, it has effortlessly evolved into a beloved classic, symbolizing the rich culinary traditions and heritage of Puglia, celebrated by locals and visitors alike.