Barbaras Mussels Recipes

MUSSELS IN A SPICY TOMATO SAUCE - MUSSELS MARINARA RECIPE

Steps:

• To make the spicy tomato sauce finely mince 2 cloves of garlic, finely mince 1 small dried cayenne pepper and finely dice 1/2 of an onion, then heat a frying pan with a medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin Spanish olive oil, once the oil get´s hot add the minced garlic and minced cayenne pepper, mix with the oil and immediately add the diced onions, cook for about 3 minutes, then add 1 1/2 cups of tomato puree, season with sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, a pinch of white sugar and 1 bay leaf, mix everything together, after about 5 minutes add a 1/4 cup of white wine, mix it all together and lower the fire to a LOW heat
• Grab about 1 pound of fresh mussels, clean them thoroughly, start by taking out the beard and then rinsing them in fresh cold water and scrubing them well until completely cleaned
• Turn the heat on the tomato sauce back to a MEDIUM heat and add the mussels to the pan, cover with a lid and cook for about 5 minutes
• Remove the lid and transfer everything to a plate (discard any mussels that did not open), garnish the dish with fresh parsley
• Enjoy!

MUSSELS AND BASIL BREAD CRUMBS

Steps:

• Combine the toasted bread cubes, garlic, 1/4 cup of olive oil, and the lemon juice in a food processor and pulse a few times to make coarse crumbs. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper and pulse to combine. Add the pine nuts and pulse a few times to combine but not to chop the nuts. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and the wine in a heavy-bottomed pot, such as Le Creuset, and bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover, and cook over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, until the mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that don't open. Add the basil bread crumbs and toss gently. Serve hot in shallow bowls with any pan juices.