If you’re daunted by cooking mussels – YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE! I promise these are so easy to make. This is the perfect recipe for a date night in. I quickly took this photo while sipping a glass of bubbles and celebrating our wedding anniversary.
To keep things simple, ask your local fishmonger for a bag of live black mussels that have been expertly cleaned and are ready to cook. I like that these bags display an expiry date, so you know you’re getting fresh seafood. I recommend the small black mussel variety over the large green mussels from New Zealand for this recipe, as they are sweeter in taste and softer in texture.
Can you make Mussels with Tomato and Garlic ahead of time?
Yes, but only the tomato sauce can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop before using as per the recipe. The mussels need to be eaten fresh.
Are Mussels with Tomato and Garlic suitable for leftovers?
Mussels are best made and consumed immediately as they become chewy and unpleasant when reheated.
If you've previously thought mussels were too tricky to cook at home, this Mussels with Tomato and Garlic recipe will prove to you that it's totally achievable – in less than 30 minutes! This elegant dish is ideal for entertaining, with mussels cooked in a light tomato sauce flavoured with garlic, chilli and wine. Serve with crusty bread or fries with some aioli on the side.
Prep 5 minutesmins
Cook 20 minutesmins
Total 25 minutesmins
Servings: 2servings
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce
2tbspolive oil
2garlic cloves, finely chopped
400g(14oz)canned crushed tomatoes
Mussels
1kg(2.2lb)bag of black live mussels, scrubbed and bearded (see note 1)
Note 1 – Prepare the mussels by rinsing them in cold water. Use a clean kitchen scourer to scrub the shells and remove any debris, if needed, gently. Remove the stringy beards hanging out of the mussels, and use your fingers to pull them out.MAKE AHEADThe tomato sauce can be prepared and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave or stovetop before using as per the recipe. LEFTOVERSMussels are best made and consumed immediately as they become chewy and unpleasant when reheated.
For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.