Italian Style Steamed Mussels (Super Simple Home Party Dish)
Taste of Italy at Home! The 15-Minute Recipe from Your Couch Chef: Super Easy Italian Mussels from Your Lunch Break
Today, we’re going to make a wonderfully simple and quick Italian-style mussel soup, brimming with fresh mussels. It’s an easy yet sophisticated dish perfect for home parties or special occasions.
Main Ingredients- 1kg Fresh Mussels
- 1-2 Tomatoes
- 1/2 Onion
- Generous amount of Garlic (sliced or minced)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the garlic. You can slice it thinly or smash it with the side of your knife to enhance its flavor. Either way, releasing plenty of garlic aroma is key.
Step 2
Heat a wide pan over medium heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the prepared garlic and sauté until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Once the garlic aroma is released, add the onion (halved) and tomatoes (1-2), roughly chopped, and sauté together. Add 1 teaspoon of salt at this stage to build the flavor base.
Step 3
Once the onion and tomatoes begin to soften slightly, add the 1kg of thoroughly cleaned mussels to the pan. Stir and cook them as if stir-frying. This helps the mussels cook evenly and become more flavorful. As the mussels start to simmer, add 1 tablespoon of butter to enrich the flavor.
Step 4
As the butter melts and coats the mussels, a delicious aroma will fill the air. Now, pour in about 1.5 cups (approx. 300ml) of water and bring it back to a simmer. If you enjoy a bit of spice, add 1-2 dried Vietnamese chili peppers or peperoncino at this point. This will add a pleasant kick! (Optionally, adding about 1/2 cup of white wine can help eliminate any fishy odors and add a sophisticated flavor).
Step 5
Once most of the mussels have opened, your delicious Italian-style Steamed Mussels (Cozze alla Tarantina) are ready! The cooking time is very short, about 10-15 minutes. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth, and you’ll have an exceptional meal.
