Details
Serves: 4
Method
Portion the baguette & rub with the garlic & then brush with olive oil. Lightly toast & keep warm to serve with the mussels.
In a heavy based sauce pan sauté rough chopped bacon in the olive oil till crispy then sauté onions & garlic in the bacon oil till soft & transparent.
Add ½ the wine & tomatoes, allowing sauce to come up to the boil, and then simmer for approx 8-10min to reduce the sauce. To finish the sauce, season to taste & stir in pesto, remove the sauce from the pot & store in a suitable container
Wash & reuse the heavy based sauce pan, place on the heat with a lid till very hot, place the mussels into the pot with the remaining wine & return the lid allowing the mussels to stem open (discard any unopened mussels).
Return the tomato sauce to the sauce pan with the mussels, allowing the sauce to come back up to boil, correct the seasoning & just before serving add the fresh herbs.
Alternative method
This alternative cooking method for the mussels uses a BBQ to add a smoky BBQ flavour
Replace step 4 above with instructions below:
Have the mussels ready in a medium to large stainless steel pot (with metal handles as well) or similar size stainless steel mixing bowl.
Pre-heat the BBQ flat hot plate by setting to high heat, cook the bacon (cut into long strips) with a small amount of olive oil till crispy, then gather into a pile in the middle of the hot plate. Pile all the fresh mussels on top of the bacon & moving very quickly pour the remaining white wine over the mussels & being very careful of the steam cover the mussels with the pot or bowl allowing to stem open the mussels (this may take approx 2-5 minutes). Carefully remove the bowl & place both the mussels & the bacon back into the warm tomato sauce pot (discard any unopened mussels).
To Serve
Portion the mussels out into wide pasta bowls & then divide the sauce between all of the bowls, next crumble the feta over the mussels & garnish with the remaining herbs, finish with warm baguette & serve while hot.
About the Chef
The Greenshell™ Mussel is possibly the most iconic representative of New Zealand’s seafood history. As a travelling ambassador for New Zealand cuisine I have always utilised Greenshell™ Mussels with complimentary results. At home, New Zealand diners recognise the Greenshell™ Mussel ...
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