serves 6 to 8
Seafood soups abound in Greece, and many call for the addition of some type of starch, typically either potatoes, rice, or trahana, a dry, dairy-based, granular grain product that is one of the most ancient foods in the world (see here). I like to use the sour version of trahana in this rendition of a northern Greek classic recipe because it lends a delicious underlying tartness.
4 pounds (1.8 kg) fresh mussels, scrubbed and beards removed, or 6 cups cleaned thawed frozen mussels
1 cup (240 ml) dry white wine, plus more for steaming mussels
½ cup (120 ml) extra-virgin Greek olive oil
1 pound (450 g) medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
½ cup (120 ml) sour trahana (see here), or bulgur wheat
3 garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or boukovo (Greek red pepper flakes)
1 cup (240 ml) clam juice (optional, if using frozen mussels)
2 cups (480 ml) pureed fresh or finely chopped good-quality canned tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
3 tablespoons strained fresh lemon juice
5 ounces (140 g) Greek feta, crumbled
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
If using fresh mussels, fill a large wide pot with wine to a depth of 1 inch (2.5 cm). Place the mussels in a steamer basket and place the basket in the pot. Cover, bring the wine to a simmer over medium-high heat, and steam until the mussels have opened, about 5 minutes. Discard any that haven’t opened. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or coffee filter and set aside. Remove the mussels from their shells, keeping a few in the shell as a garnish.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over high heat. Add the shrimp and frozen, defrosted mussels, if using, and sear until the shrimp turn bright pink. Remove from the heat and set aside.
In a soup pot, heat the remaining 6 tablespoons (90 ml) olive oil over medium heat. Add the trahana, and stir to coat with the oil. Cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and red pepper flakes. Add 1 cup of wine and 1 cup of mussel steaming liquid or clam juice. As soon as it starts to evaporate, add 6 cups (1.4 L) water and the tomatoes and cook over medium heat until the soup starts to thicken and the trahana softens. Season to taste with salt and white pepper. Add the mussels, shrimp, and any juices that have collected in the bowl or skillet to the pot. Mix gently. Stir in the lemon juice, feta, and parsley, if using. Remove from the heat.
Garnish the soup with the steamed mussels in their shells, if you kept some aside, and serve.