Nobody can out-mussel Armenians

My first encounter with midia dolma was in autumn 1968 at an upscale Armenian wedding reception on Long Island.

It wasn't a large affair, but it was lavish. The reception was catered by an Armenian restaurant in New York City that had a fabulous reputation; the food was impeccable.

I had just turned 19. My younger brother, Drew, and I were lingering around the buffet table filled with luscious appetizers, eyeballing a platter of something we'd never seen before - mussel shells stuffed with mussels, rice, something that looked like little raisins, and pine nuts.

It looked intriguing, but we hesitated. One of the older guests assured us it was worth tasting, so we figured "what the heck." One bite was all it took! The flavors were unique, but addictive.

Drew and I couldn't get enough. A platter would arrive; we'd polish it off. This went on for a platter or two more. We finally had our fill, and feeling a little guilty, decided we'd better let others have some, too.

I mentioned to my Aunt Arpie that I'd love to make this recipe, but it looked like so much work. Lucky for me Aunt Arpie had a short-cut recipe that she shared.

I've been using it for years. Now I'll share it, too.

Midia Dolma

Ingredients:

1 large onion, finely chopped
¼ cup vegetable oil
½ cup rice
1 cup combined of water & mussel juice
(Note: I use canned mussels for this recipe; it’s so easy! Drain as much liquid from the canned mussels as you can, then add enough water to make 1 cup)
1 large or 2 small cans of mussels in brine, NOT marinated mussels
Salt to taste
Dash ground black pepper
½ tsp. allspice
½ tsp. cinnamon or to taste (Warning! Too much cinnamon can make the recipe bitter.)
½ cup dried currants or raisins
(Note: If using raisins instead of currants, chop them)
1/2 cup pine nuts
Juice of one lemon

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, sauté onion in oil until softened, but not brown.
2. Add rice and water-mussel juice combination to the onion.
3. Add seasonings. Mix. Cover and cook until rice is tender (about 15-20 minutes).
4. While rice is cooking, rinse and de-beard the mussels. Set aside.
5. Add currants and pine nuts to cooked rice. Gently fold in the mussels.
6. Adjust seasonings, if necessary.
7. Add lemon juice to the mixture.
8. Cover and chill until ready to serve. For best flavor, make a day in advance.