Steamed mussels with garlic and chilli

Photo / Babiche Martens

Under-utilised, mussels are a cheap meal and quick and easy to prepare. Use them in a bisque, stew, fritter or hot and steaming straight from the pot. These will warm you right through. Bread to soak up all the juices is a must. Discard any open mussels before cooking.

Ingredients

2 dozen	mussels
2 Tbsp	olive oil
1	red onion, sliced
4 cloves	garlic, crushed
1	carrot, chopped small
1	stick celery, sliced
1	red chilli, finely chopped
1 cup	white wine
2 Tbsp	chopped thyme
200g	tomatoes, roughly chopped
To taste	salt and freshly ground pepper
½ cup	basil leaves
To serve	bread

Directions

1. Wash the mussels, removing any unwanted attachments and pull out the beards.Warm the oil in a large heavy-based pot. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, celery and chilli, cooking slowly for 10 minutes until softened. Stir through the wine, thyme and chopped tomatoes, and bring to a simmer.
2. Once the heat is up, add the mussels, place on the lid and allow them to steam open. Check after a few minutes, removing any that have opened and allowing the last few to cook.Season with salt and pepper. Serve the mussels in bowls with the liquid and vegetable goodness spooned over. Garnish with basil leaves.