Mussels with tomatoes & chilli

Mussels with tomatoes & chilli

This spicy seafood recipe will warm you up this winter.

Bon appetit!

Ingredients

•     2 ripe tomatoes
•     2 tbsp olive oil
•     1 garlic clove, finely chopped
•     1 shallot, finely chopped
•     1 red or green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
•     Small glass dry white wine
•     1 tsp tomato paste
•     Pinch of sugar
•     1 kg cleaned mussels
•     Good handful basil leaves

Method

1. Put the tomatoes in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water, leave for 3 mins, then drain and peel. Quarter the tomatoes and scoop out and discard the seeds using a teaspoon. Roughly chop the tomato flesh.
2. Heat the oil in a large pan with a tight-fitting lid. Add the garlic, shallot, and chilli, then gently fry for 2-3 mins until softened. Pour in the wine and add the tomatoes, paste, sugar, and seasoning (mussels are naturally salty so take care with the salt). Stir well and simmer for 2 mins.
3. Tip in the mussels and give them a stir. Cover tightly and steam for 3-4 mins, shaking the pan halfway through, until the shells have opened.
4. Discard any shells that remain shut, then divide the mussels between two bowls and add the basil leaves. Provide a large bowl for the empty shells.