Tinolang Tahong (Mussel Stew with Ginger)

Good day darlings! I was craving for some sea foods the other day so we woke up super early for the morning market. I love going to the market. The produce are fresh plus the prices are unbelievably cheap compared to supermarkets and grocery stores where the meats and fish are usually frozen. You can always find a suki (regular/favorite vendor) by buying whatever they are selling more frequently and they would give it to you for an even lower price plus not only do you gain a friend but a mentor on how to spot fresh produce. We bought some mussels that day because not are they only cheap (40 pesos or 1 U.S. dollar a kilo) but they are also rich source of iron and super yummy. The husband always cooks mussels this way. No fancy ingredients, simple, and super delicious :)

Let's get started! You will need basically only four ingredients:
1. Sprite or 7Up
2. Mussels(cleaned and debearded)
3. Ginger, sliced
4. Onions, sliced
*You will also need some salt and cooking oil.

In a pan, saute your onions and ginger. Wait until the onions are translucent and the ginger has released its aroma. The ginger will help remove the malansa (fishy) smell from the mussels.

Next add in the mussels. I like my mussels a bit smaller than the usual. In my opinion, they are tastier than the bigger ones. Make sure it is washed and debearded. We do not want eating those beards or sand or grit. Also, discard any uncooked mussels that are open. These are not fresh and not appropriate for consumption. You can ask your suki to clean and debeard the mussels for you (one of the perks of having a suki)or learn how to debeard mussels here.

Next, once the mussels have opened, add in the Sprite or 7Up. You can only use lemon flavored soda for this recipe. I do not who invented this recipe but what I do know is he or she is a genius! I love the sweet taste which perfectly matches the slight saltiness of the mussels. Just let the Sprite or 7Up simmer for a few minutes until it reduced to have its original amount then add some salt to adjust to your taste and you are done!