Spicy Tomato Mussels with Basil
In short: Mussels steamed open in a garlicky tomato broth with chili, white wine and basil. A fast, dairy-free dinner for mopping up with bread. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 370 kcal
Tomato gives mussels a different character from the usual white wine broth: sweeter, a little tart and ready for chili. This version builds a quick sauce from canned tomatoes, garlic and wine, then steams the mussels in it. The sauce reduces slightly so it clings to the shells, and basil goes in at the end. Serve with grilled bread, or over spaghetti for a heartier meal.
Instructions
- Rinse the mussels in a colander. Discard any with cracked shells, and any open ones that do not close when tapped firmly. Pull off the beards and scrub off any grit.
- Heat the oil in a large pot with a lid over medium heat. Cook the onion for 4 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and chili flakes for 1 minute.
- Add the wine and boil for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper and simmer for 8 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Raise the heat to high and tip in the mussels. Cover and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, shaking the pot once or twice, until most of the shells have opened.
- Discard any mussels that stayed closed. Stir in the basil.
- Serve in wide bowls with plenty of sauce, with bread or pasta alongside.
Tips
- Taste the sauce before adding more salt, because mussels release salty liquid as they open.
- For a mixed seafood pot, add 200 g (7 oz) of firm white fish chunks to the sauce for the last 4 minutes before the mussels go in.
Questions and answers
Can I use canned or smoked mussels?
They are already cooked and taste different. Warm them gently in the sauce for 2 minutes at the end, but fresh mussels give the best result.
How many mussels should I cook per person?
Allow about 750 g (1 2/3 lb) of mussels in the shell per person for a main course. Serve with bread, fries or pasta.
What should I do with mussels that do not open?
Throw them away. A mussel that stays shut after cooking was likely dead before cooking and is not safe to eat.
How long does it take to make Spicy Tomato Mussels with Basil?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Spicy Tomato Mussels with Basil?
About 370 kcal per serving, with 29 g of protein, 22 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 370 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 29 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
