Choros a la Chalaca

Name: Choros a la Chalaca
Ingredients: 2 garlic cloves, 1 smashed, 1 finely grated; 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided; 1 lb. mussels, scrubbed, debearded; 1 small plum tomato, finely chopped; ½ habanero chile, finely chopped; 3 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion; 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice; 2 Tbsp. cilantro leaves, plus sprigs for serving

By Danielle Bell and Pablo Osorio

January 4, 2022

Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk

This take on the classic Peruvian seafood dish of steamed mussels is always a hit at Danielle Bell and Pablo Osorio’s de Porres Dinner Series events. The bright, fresh topping is a kind of salsa criolla, a Peruvian red onion relish with chile and lime. Arrange the mussels on a platter cup side up for a cocktail snack that’s easy to grab one-handed. At their parties Danielle and Pablo sometimes nestle the mussels into coarse salt, like they’re sitting in sand, to keep the cups upright.