Mussels Stew
Ingredients
- 400g mussels or cockles or mix of both⠀
- 1 big banana shallot or red onion medium diced⠀
- 2 cloves garlic chopped⠀
- 1 tomato deseeded and diced⠀
- 3 tbsp tomato canned puree or passata⠀
- 1 tsp smoked paprika⠀
- 1 tsp paprika or red chilli powder⠀
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder⠀
- a pinch of saffron⠀
- 1 fresh bay leaf (optional)⠀
- 1/2 cup gin⠀
- 250 ml water⠀
- 2 tbsp pernod⠀
- salt to taste⠀
- 1 tbsp olive oil⠀
- coriander for garnishing⠀
Preparation
Wash and scrub the mussels well, take the beard off
Soak them in salted water for 15 minutes
Heat a pot and tip the mussels in with 1/2 cup of water
Cover the pot for 2-3 minutes
They will open and be ready
Take them out of the pan and strain the water
You can use this water for cooking but i don’t like to use it
In a different saucepan heat oil, add in the bay leaf, garlic and shallot or onion
Saute for 2 minutes, add in the gin and reduce it by half
Now add in the tomatoes, passata and saffron and all the spices
Sweat the tomatoes for 2 minutes
Add in the salt, water and bring it to a gentle boil
Add in the opened mussels and cover the pan
Cook for 2-3 minutes
Add in the pernod and mix well
Garnish with coriander and serve hot with toasted bread!⠀
Enjoy