Whenever I crave a taste of the Mediterranean, I turn to one my favourite mussel dish’s: mussels simmered in a rich tomato and garlic broth. I start by sautéing minced garlic and diced shallots in olive oil until they’re fragrant. Then, I add chopped tinned tomatoes and a splash of verjuice, letting the mixture simmer to meld the flavours. To bump the flavour you can add 60ml of homemade fish stock. Add the mussels from Boston Bay, cover the pot, and cook until they open, releasing their briny essence into the sauce. A generous dollop of butter adds silkiness, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley and basil brightens the dish. Served with crusty grilled bread, it’s a simple yet elegant meal that transports me straight to the seaside.

⏱️ Preparation Time: 5 minutes
🍳 Cooking Time: 10-14 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 6

👩‍🍳Cooking Method: Induction or Gas Stovetop

📝 Ingredients:

• 1.4kg Boston Bay Mussels (scrubbed and de-bearded)
• 60ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 shallots, finely diced
• 60ml fish stock (optional)
• 400gm tinned tomatoes (diced) or in season 6 fresh tomatoes (diced)
• 120ml Verjuice (instead of white wine)
• 30gm butter, unsalted
• Sea salt, Black pepper, Chilli flakes to taste
• 15gm fresh parsley or basil (chopped)

👩‍🍳 Method:

1. In a heavy based pot (with a lid) over a medium-low based heat or induction 5 or 6, heat the extra virgin olive oil. Sauté the shallots for about 3-4 minutes, adding the garlic until fragrant.
2. Add the diced tomatoes, verjuice, salt, pepper, chilli flakes, fish stock (optional), letting the sauce simmer and stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the mussels, cover the pot and simmer for until the shells open (about 6-8 minutes). Discard any shells that don’t open.
4. Stir in the butter and parsley.

🥣 Serving Suggestions:

1. Serve on a platter for a share plate or individually, divide 6 ways
2. Enjoy this dish with some fresh crusty bread, like ciabatta or baguette
3. An option of steamed rice, along with a fresh crispy salad, making it a complete meal.

📝 Notes:

• Substitute the tomato base with a ready-made sauce such as Lucias tomato and basil sauce.

Download Recipe Here

🧊Storage:

Fridge Friendly Instructions: Refrigerate for up to 2 days.

🥗Nutritional (6 servings, amount per serving):

• Calories – 408
• Kilojoules – 1,707
• Total Fat – 19gm
• Saturated fat – 7gm
• Monounsaturated Fat – 9gm
• Polyunsaturated Fat – 3gm
• Trans Fat – 0gm
• Cholesterol – 102mg
• Sodium – 226mg
• Potassium – 565mg
• Total Carbohydrate – 18gm
• Dietary Fibre – 4gm
• Sugars – 7gm
• Protein – 40gm
• Vitamin A – 3%
• Vitamin C – 0%
• Calcium –1%
• Iron – 187% 

*The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie / 8370 Kilojoule diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie/kilojoule needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated.