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Delicious Chili Mussels Recipe

In our humble opinion, mussels are superior when it comes to seafood. They can be used in many recipes and prepared in complex and simple dishes. They’re also incredible as mussels appetizer and are great for when you want to impress somebody with cooking.   

We’ve prepared a fantastic spicy mussels recipe that you’ll love. We already know that you won’t be immune to this recipe. Chili mussels are the way to go, as they are not too complex to make, but they are far from simple when it comes to taste.   

This recipe is an excellent option if you have friends over, and you want to dazzle them with your cooking skills. Make this recipe, and serve it as a mussels appetizer, and your guests will love it.   

This mussel recipe will give you a fancy meal without too much effort. It’s easy to make; it doesn’t require any hard-to-get ingredients or special equipment. So, without further ado, let’s teach you how to make this mussel recipe.   

Everything You Need to Know About Mussels   

Before preparing mussels, it’s good to get to know them. We’re going to talk a bit about what mussels are, how they taste, and how you should cook them.   

What Are Mussels?   

Just in case you don’t know what mussels are, we will introduce them to you. Mussels are a type of shellfish, and they are very similar to oysters and clams. They can only be found in saltwater.   

How Do Mussels Taste?   

Mussels, when appropriately cooked, taste delicious. They taste like the ocean, in a good way. Their aroma resembles mushrooms, with a hint of sweetness and saltiness. They are firm but also delicate at the same time. You don’t want to overcook them because their texture will turn chewy and rubbery, and it won’t be easy to eat them.   

How to Store Mussels?   

Fresh mussels should be kept in the fridge. You can store them in a container covered with a clean damp paper towel. You should never keep them in water. You should prepare them for the best experience and taste within two days. But you can keep them in the fridge for up to five days.   

When it comes to leftovers, you can keep them in the fridge for a couple of days. Or you can freeze them for three months.   

What Mussels Are the Best for Cooking 

It is always best to use fresh mussels if you have a chance. They are superior in taste, they are delicious, and their aroma is slightly better than the frozen ones.   

But, if you don’t have an opportunity to buy fresh mussels, you can always use frozen ones for this spicy mussels recipe. You need to thaw them before cooking, and it is best to do it in the fridge overnight. And if you have unexpected guests and want to prepare this mussels appetizer, you can thaw them by running them under cold water.   

Spicy Mussels Recipe Tips and Tricks  

We will talk a bit about the ingredients you’ll need for these chili mussels. This recipe will use only simple ingredients to make this dish super flavorful. And the unique combination of the spices will move this dish to another level.   

To make this spicy mussels recipe extra delicious, you’ll need:  

  • Red chili peppers  
  • Dry white wine   
  • Tomatoes  
  • Saffron  

Red Chili Peppers  

It’s best to use fresh peppers because it makes a lot of difference. The best choice is jalapeno or red serrano peppers. If you don’t have fresh peppers, you can always use dried. 

Dry White Wine   

The white wine pairs perfectly with the mussels and make this dish extra delicious. You should use a wine that’s not sweet, and the best ones are Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc.   

Tomatoes   

It would be best if you used fresh tomatoes. But, if you can’t find good fresh ones, you can use canned. In that scenario, you should pick the good quality canned tomatoes and those that don’t have any salt added. Whichever option you choose, the tomatoes need to be diced.   

Saffron   

Saffron is one of the most exclusive and expensive spices globally. However, that shouldn’t scare or discourage you from using it. You need to use only a little bit of it in this recipe. That’s why it isn’t so expensive to buy a little bit of saffron for a recipe like this one. It will make all of the difference and upgrade the dish.   

How to Prepare Spicy Mussels Recipe  

Chili mussels are easy to make, and once you make them the first time, every next one will be easier. There are a few specific steps that you need to follow.   

When you are ready to cook this dish, you first need to prepare the mussels. You’ll do that by soaking them in salted water for 15 minutes, scrubbing them, and removing the beards they have. Once you do that, you should rinse them one more time. The preparation process is crucial in every recipe with mussels in it.   

The other star of this mussel recipe is the tomato broth. It is easy to make and make your life easier; you’ll want to chop all the vegetables and herbs before starting the broth. It’s best to use one of the largest pots for cooking the shallots, garlic, chili peppers, herbs, and tomato paste for a few minutes. Once the shallots are translucent, don’t forger to add diced tomatos so everything can boil together. You’ll want to put it on low heat and simmer everything for another 20 minutes.   

The next step is cooking the mussels. You’ll add the mussels to the pot alongside the white wine and saffron. You’ll add a special ingredient at this stage, and that’s butter. After that, everything will be over soon, because you need to cook the mussels, and they will be done in about five minutes. When they open their shells, they’re done.    

You’ll need  

  • 2 ½ pounds mussels   
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil  
  • ¼ cup of diced shallots  
  • 3 cloves of garlic minced  
  • 2 fresh red serrano chilies  
  • 2 tablespoons of tomato paste  
  • ¼ teaspoon of sugar  
  • ½ teaspoon of dried basil  
  • 2 sprigs of thyme  
  • 1 ¼ pound of diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup of white wine 
  • ¼ cup of unsalted butter
  • add a bit of saffron if you want 

Preparation  

  • Prepare the mussels, only use the ones that are not open.   
  • Add the shallots, garlic, and red chili peppers into heated olive oil, and cook everything for a minute. Add tomato paste alongside sugar, thyme and basil. Cook everything for a few minutes while stirring frequently.   
  • Add chopped tomatoes to the pot, and let them boil. Let everything simmer for 20 minutes after you lower the heat. Stir occasionally while everything simmers.   
  • Add the wine, saffron, butter, and mussels. Stir everything, cover it and cook for another 5 minutes until all mussels are open.   
  • Serve, and enjoy.   

What do you think about this recipe? Do you like it? We bet that you do. It’s simple yet elegant, and the final result is beyond tasty. You’ll have to try it for yourself to witness the taste. And if you want to try a recipe like this, but you are not confident that you’ll make it the right way, if you first don’t try the dish, you have to call us and make a reservation here at Mi’talia. We guarantee you that we make the best seafood dishes in Miami. Come, and taste it for yourself.

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