Spicy Provençal Mussel Stew
The Most Cost-Effective Party Dish: Provençal Mussel Stew with Tomato and Chili Sauce
Christmas Eve is just around the corner! As the festive season approaches, we often crave special dishes to create a party atmosphere. This year, I’ve decided to prepare a heartwarming mussel stew that will warm you from the inside out. Mussels are in season, making them affordable and bursting with flavor, which is perfect for a budget-friendly yet festive party. This recipe offers a simplified way to enjoy a rich, tomato and chili sauce, reminiscent of what you’d find in a French restaurant. As you savor the warm, comforting broth, your winter table will soon be filled with a cozy warmth and cheerful laughter.
Mussel Stew Core Ingredients- 20 fresh mussels
- 1/4 onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 chili pepper (such as jalapeño or Korean green chili), thinly sliced
- A little cheese, for garnish (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
Mussel Stew Seasoning Ingredients- 3 ladles of tomato sauce (store-bought pasta sauce is fine)
- 1/2 tablespoon chili sauce (or gochujang)
- 3 ladles of reserved mussel broth
- 1/2 ladle of white wine (or cooking wine)
- A little cooking oil (olive oil recommended)
- Salt, to taste
- Herbs (dried or fresh), to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 3 ladles of tomato sauce (store-bought pasta sauce is fine)
- 1/2 tablespoon chili sauce (or gochujang)
- 3 ladles of reserved mussel broth
- 1/2 ladle of white wine (or cooking wine)
- A little cooking oil (olive oil recommended)
- Salt, to taste
- Herbs (dried or fresh), to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Cleaning the Mussels: Begin by thoroughly cleaning the mussels. Use a brush or scrubber to remove any dirt or grit from the shells. If you see any long, stringy ‘beards’ protruding from the mussels, firmly grasp and pull them out to clean them up. This ensures a pleasant eating experience.
Step 2
Blanching Mussels and Making Broth: Once the mussels are clean, blanch them in boiling water with a pinch of salt. Cook until they start to open, then continue for about 1 minute and 30 seconds more. Carefully remove the mussels. Do not discard the cooking liquid (broth)! Boil it for another 30 seconds, then strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to obtain a flavorful mussel broth. This broth is key to the stew’s depth of flavor.
Step 3
Your Precious Mussel Broth: This carefully strained mussel broth is wonderfully flavorful and can also be used to make delicious fish cake soup or seaweed soup. Enjoy its versatility beyond just this stew!
Step 4
Making Tomato Sauce (Skip if using store-bought): If you’re using a store-bought pasta tomato sauce, you can skip this step. However, if you prefer to make your own, simply peel and finely chop tomatoes, then simmer them with a little water, salt, sugar, and herbs until thickened. It’s a simple way to create a delicious homemade sauce.
Step 5
Building the Flavor Base: Now, let’s start making the stew! In a preheated pot, add a generous amount of cooking oil (like olive oil). Sauté the coarsely chopped onion and thinly sliced chili peppers (you can use dried chili for extra heat) until fragrant. If you enjoy the aroma of garlic, you can also add thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté them. (I’ve skipped the garlic due to an allergy.)
Step 6
Adding Mussels and Simmering: Once the onion and chili release their aroma and the onion becomes translucent, add all the cleaned mussels to the pot. Stir gently to coat them with the aromatics. Cover the pot and simmer for about 1 minute and 30 seconds, allowing the mussels to cook and open.
Step 7
Incorporating Sauces for Richness: As the mussels begin to sizzle and open wider, remove the lid. Add the tomato sauce and chili sauce (if you don’t have chili sauce, a small amount of gochujang can be used as a substitute). Stir well to coat the mussels evenly, letting them simmer gently in the sauce for a minute or two to absorb the flavors.
Step 8
Adding Wine and Broth for Depth: Once the mussels are well-coated with the sauce, pour in the white wine and the reserved mussel broth. Let the stew simmer and reduce for about 3-4 minutes. This step melds the flavors, adding depth and complexity from the wine and broth.
Step 9
Final Seasoning and Finishing Touches: Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and herbs as needed. For an extra touch of richness and a beautiful presentation, you can sprinkle some cheese on top or stir in a knob of butter until melted. This delicious mussel stew is perfect served with crusty bread!
