Baked Tahong with Sweet Chili-Mayo Topping

Baked Tahong with Sweet Chili-Mayo Topping are the ultimate seafood appetizer! These stuffed mussels are easy to make, creamy, cheesy, and seriously addictive.

Looking for the ultimate seafood appetizer? These baked tahong with sweet chili-mayo topping will knock your socks off!

Juicy and tasty with a creamy, cheesy, perfectly sweet, and mildly spicy topping, they're seriously addictive! Trust me when I say DOUBLE the servings because these babies will disappear from the buffet table as fast as you make them.

I also have crispy tahong and mussels a la gamba on the blog if you're looking for more ways to cook this seafood. They're all delicious with their own set of flavors, but I have to say, these cheesy baked mussels recipe is my personal favorite!

It's budget-friendly and easy to prepare which makes it perfect for serving a large crowd. You can have a big batch ready in minutes and with hardly any effort unless you're using fresh mussels which do require a bit of prep.

How to Prepare Fresh Mussels

I use frozen mussels that already come in half-shells and are ready to use in the recipe after thawing. If using fresh, please check out the tips below on how to clean and open the tahong.

• Mussels that are open before cooking are not necessarily "dead." Gently tap the mussel with your finger and wait for it to close up; if the shell doesn't close after tapping, throw it away.
• Inspect shells for cracks or openings and discard.
• Soak the mussels in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes to rid of any dirt or sand. Drain well.
• Scrub the shells with a kitchen brush under cold, running water. Use a paring knife to scrape off any hard filaments.
• Remove the beard or byssus by pulling down toward the hinge of the shell and outward.
• Hold the mussel firmly, insert a blunt knife between the top and bottom shell, and gently twist to pop open. Remove the top shell.

Sweet Chili-Mayo Topping

This mayo-sweet chili topping is the stuff food dreams are made of and needs to be in your back pocket of kitchen tricks! Not only does it add tons of flavor, but it also acts as a protective coating that keeps seafood or meat from drying out during the cooking process.

And it's versatile, too! I use it on shrimp, salmon, and chicken breast, and always with great results. The best part is the topping mixture is quick and has only five ingredients!

• Mayonnaise- for that golden, creamy layer of goodness
• Shredded Cheese- use cheese that melts quickly and smoothly, such as Eden, American cheese, Cheddar, or Monterey Jack. I don't recommend Mozzarella as it's very stringy.
• Sweet Chili Sauce- a couple of tablespoons takes the topping over the top! Its sweet and mildly spicy taste balances out the creamy and salty cheese and mayo.
• Green Onions- for a pop of color
• Lime Juice- a drizzle or two helps brighten flavors

How to Serve

• Serve these cheesy baked mussels as an appetizer, with a cold beer, of course! They're the perfect tapas and are sure to be a party hit!
• But although I usually serve them as appetizers, they also make a great meal with steamed rice and your choice of green salad or vegetable side dish. Any way you enjoy them, they're delicious!

If you're in the mood for soup instead, you might want to try this sinabawang tahong. Bursting with ginger flavor and vibrant spinach leaves, it's the ultimate cold-weather comfort food! Prefer omelet? I've got that covered, too! My tortang tahong is so good with rice and a side of banana catsup for dipping!