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    Home » Appetizers » Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil

    Aug 15, 2017 · Modified: Mar 4, 2020 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 19 Comments

    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil

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    This post has been sponsored by Gloria Ferrer, but as usual, all opinions are my own. Thank you so much for supporting my blog!

    These Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini are not only made with sparkling wine, but they pair perfectly with a glass of it! The crostini are topped with mussels, avocado, grilled lemon, and basil, making them the perfect little appetizer... Or Glorious Bite!

    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil -- The perfect party appetizer #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com

    That first week home from vacation is always the toughest, isn't it? After a glorious and relaxing week in the sun, this week is a struggle with a capital "S." I miss the beach, I miss eating lobster rolls, I miss my family, and I miss Bloody Marys in the morning, cocktails in the afternoon, and rosé and sparkling wine in the evening. Why does vacation have to end?

    But thank you to Gloria Ferrer for saving my first week back in the real world. They're giving me life again by a) providing me with delicious sparkling wine to drink and b) officially launching the 3rd annual Glorious Bites Challenge today! I'm super excited to be partnering with them on this year's challenge for about a million reasons.

    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil -- The perfect party appetizer | wearenotmartha.com

    The biggest reason is that I know many of my blog readers are also awesome chefs and would be the perfect candidates for entering this challenge. Gloria Ferrer wants to see your signature appetizer that would pair well with their award-winning Sonoma Brut. Once entered, all recipes will be reviewed by a panel of wine and food experts and judged based on originality, perceived taste appeal and perceived ability to pair with the Sonoma Brut.

    And then, 12 semifinalists will be chosen to participate in three live cook-off events scheduled around the country that will culminate in the Glorious Bites Challenge Finals at Gloria Ferrer Winery in Sonoma, California (AKA heaven on Earth).  The grand prize? $5,000!

    Gloria Ferrer's Glorious Bites Challenge 2017 #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com

    OK, and another exciting thing? Along with Keynote Judge and Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company Executive Chef Jennifer Luttrell, I will be judging the Boston semifinalist event, held at the Divine Design Center on October, 3! The other semifinalist events will be in Minneapolis, MN (October 5) and Denver, CO (October 7).

    Gloria Ferrer's Glorious Bites Challenge 2017 #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com

    To help get some inspiration going, I decided to come up with my own recipe to pair with Gloria Ferrer's Sonoma Brut. As an avid mussel lover, I realized that I pretty much always make mussels the same way- I may switch out the broth (beer/wine/stock) and accompaniments (garlic bread/pasta/fries), but I pretty much always steam them and eat them right from their shells. This time, I decided to steam them and take them out of their shells for a summer crostini appetizer. The result was Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil.

    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil -- The perfect party appetizer #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com

    I think mussels are one of the most satisfying foods to cook. Especially when you're doing so in sparkling wine.

    Sparkling Wine Mussels steaming for Mussel Crostini -- The perfect party appetizer | wearenotmartha.com

    Why do I not grill lemons more often and when am I making grilled lemonade? Or better yet, grilled lemonade topped off with a little bubbly? All very important questions that must be answered before summer is over.

    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil -- The perfect party appetizer #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com

    I brushed a little garlic butter onto each of the mussel crostini bread slices before topping them with diced avocado, mussels, and chopped bail and lemon zest. A little squeeze from the grilled lemon was drizzled over each crostini.

    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil -- The perfect party appetizer #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com

    I think it's safe to say this glorious bite paired quite well with Gloria Ferrer's Sonoma Brut.

    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil -- The perfect party appetizer #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com

    I promise you that I did extensive testing. One sip of Sonoma Brut, one bite of mussel crostini. One sip of Sonoma brut. One bite of mussel crostini. I'm nothing if not precise.

    Gloria Ferrer's Glorious Bites Challenge 2017 #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com
    Gloria Ferrer's Glorious Bites Challenge 2017 #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com

    With a little help from my pup... Who is probably the one reason I am actually happy to be back from vacation. I missed her SO much! She also really, really, wants to be a Glorious Bites judge along with me. See her eyeing those mussel crostini?

    Do you think you can come up with the next best glorious bite to pair with Gloria Ferrer's Sonoma Brut? Be sure to enter your recipe any time between now and September 24. If you're not as much of a chef as you are an eater, you can still purchase tickets to any of the events, including the Boston one I'll be judging at!

    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil -- The perfect party appetizer #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com

    Check out the Gloria Ferrer recipe database to get inspired even more with recipes from the years' previous winners. Last year, Chera Little of Leander, Texas, won for her recipe for Miso-Maple Glazed Cod Wonton-Cho’s with Crispy Bok Choy Slaw. Yum! Also, be sure to take a look at Gloria Ferrer's tips for how to pair sparkling wine with food. Now I want to make every single one of these recipe recommendations!

    And be sure to follow #GloriousBites on social media to see the latest updates on the challenge!

    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil -- The perfect party appetizer #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com

    What's your favorite food to pair with sparkling wine?

    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil -- The perfect party appetizer #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com

    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil

    These Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini are not only made with sparkling wine, but they pair perfectly with a glass of it! The crostini are topped with mussels, avocado, grilled lemon, and basil, making them the perfect little appetizer.
    No ratings yet
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    Course: Appetizer
    Makes: 24 crostini
    Author: We are not Martha

    Ingredients

    • 1 French baguette, sliced diagonally into about 24 ½-inch slices
    • 4 tsp olive oil, divided
    • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
    • 7 cloves garlic, minced and divided
    • 1 ½ tsp, plus 1 Tbsp chopped basil
    • 1 shallot, finely chopped (about ¼ cup)
    • 3 lbs. mussels, cleaned and de-bearded
    • ½ cup Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut
    • ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
    • 1 Tbsp finely chopped lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
    • 2 lemons, halved and grilled

    Instructions

    • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Brush bread slices lightly with about 2 tsp olive oil and place on a foil or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
    • Bake at 350 degrees for 16-18 minutes, until just crispy.
    • While crostini are in oven, mix together butter, 4 cloves minced garlic, and 1 ½ tsp chopped basil in a small bowl.
    • When crostini are out of oven, lightly brush butter mixture onto each piece of bread. Set aside.
    • Pour remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil into large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Add shallot and cook for about 2 minutes. Add remaining 3 cloves minced garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
    • Add the mussels to the pan, along with the Sonoma Brut and lemon juice.
    • Bring to a boil, cover pan, and let cook for 8-10 minutes, until mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that have not opened. Place cooked mussels in a large bowl.
    • When the mussels are cool enough to handle, remove meat from the shells.
    • Top each piece of bread with diced avocado and three mussels.
    • Evenly distribute lemon zest and remaining Tbsp chopped basil on top of crostini and squeeze grilled lemon over the top.
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!
    Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil -- The perfect party appetizer #GloriousBites | wearenotmartha.com
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    Comments

    1. Allison - Celebrating Sweets says

      August 15, 2017 at 1:16 pm

      I LOVE Gloria Ferrer! This dish looks absolutely fabulous - so elegant.

    2. Jagruti says

      August 15, 2017 at 1:27 pm

      Really nice pics and I see you enjoying your drink in several pics having fun

    3. Calleigh - TheForkBite says

      August 15, 2017 at 1:39 pm

      I'm a mussel-lover, seeing this paired with baguette and sparkling wine made me want to go to the market to re-create this as well.

    4. Ashley - Forking Up says

      August 15, 2017 at 2:05 pm

      I haven't been to your site in so long but omg! It's even prettier than I remember! I really want to do the Gloria Ferrer challenge this year! I went to the Austin kickoff but forgot to participate. This looks lovely!

    5. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says

      August 15, 2017 at 2:07 pm

      Ok, You win! How can anyone say no to mussels on bruschetta and sparkling wine? This sounds phenomenal -- as you newest "best friend" I think you should invite me over to sample these!

    6. Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess says

      August 15, 2017 at 10:31 pm

      What a gorgeous appetizer!! Looks amazing and yes! So does that sparkling wine! You look fabulous drinking it! 😀

    7. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      August 16, 2017 at 6:12 am

      Such a perfect bite for a summer party!

    8. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

      August 16, 2017 at 12:34 pm

      Bread topped with mussels cooked in wine? I'm so in it's not even funny. This sounds delicious!

    9. phi @ The SweetPhi Blog says

      August 16, 2017 at 2:33 pm

      Oh my goodness - this recipe is glorious, so luxurious and delicious. Also - that photo with your pup is the cutest, total framer 🙂

    10. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

      August 16, 2017 at 2:36 pm

      We haven't taken a vacation since June of last year... so I'm going to just pretend like I'm not crazy jealous of the good times you are having over there! 😉 But, if my old memory serves me right, I do believe the first week back from a vacation suuuucks. Anywho, OMG, I LOVE MUSSELS! But, ever since Boy and I ate some bad ones YEARS and YEARS ago I can't get him to eat them! It's super annoying. Guess I'll just have to make these BRILLIANT bites all for myself. Oh shucks. LOL! I love that you used sparkling wine!!! GENIUS! Cheers!

    11. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says

      August 16, 2017 at 5:37 pm

      Wow, lots of great flavours on that bread. I love bread, wine and cheese....so this is a win win all the way around for me.

    12. Elaine @ Flavour and Savour says

      August 16, 2017 at 8:39 pm

      Love mussels and your recipe sounds fabulous! We also just returned from the East Coast where we ate nothing but seafood for days, and yes, we're missing those lobster rolls, too. Pinning!

    13. Igor @ Cooking The Globe says

      August 17, 2017 at 2:16 am

      Wow!I love how fancy these look. And so many awesome flavors!

    14. [email protected] says

      August 17, 2017 at 12:44 pm

      Oh man...these are some fancy eats! I love it! My family would go crazy for this crostini! We're always looking for new ways to adorn our toast!

    15. Molly Galler says

      September 08, 2017 at 1:20 pm

      That picture of Winnie licking her lips! Too cute.

    Trackbacks

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      September 11, 2017 at 2:18 pm

      […] it go well with a nice cold glass of Gloria Ferrer’s sparkling wine? Last month, I made a summery mussel dish, which was perfect for enjoying outside in the summer sun. This month, I jumped fully into fall […]

    2. Recipe Ideas For What to Do With Leftover Champagne says:
      December 22, 2017 at 9:01 am

      […] 12. Sparkling Wine Mussel Crostini with Avocado, Grilled Lemon, and Basil […]

    3. 65+ Natural Aphrodisiac Recipes Featuring Two Or More Aphrodisiacs says:
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      […] topped with mussels, avocado, grilled lemon, and basil, making them the perfect little appetizer. Check out this recipe Oysters with Herbed butter and Prosciutto This festive hors d’oeuvre is easy to make and […]

    4. Bubbly + Small Bites: Celebrating New Year's with Seafood | Dish on Fish says:
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