Mussels Provencale

CountryLady's Note:

This tasty dish can be served as an appetizer (for 4) or as a main course (for 2). I love to mop up the sauce with crusty bread!! The prep time includes soaking.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic , chopped
• 2 onions , chopped
• 1 stalk celery , chopped
• 2 (28 ounce) cans tomatoes , drained & chopped
• 1 (7 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 cup red wine or 1 cup white wine
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (or 2 tsp dried)
• salt & pepper (to taste)
• 24 mussels

Directions:

1. Wash mussels in several changes of cold water; using a sharp knife, remove beards.
2. Soak mussels for about 30 minutes in cold water containing a handful of salt& a handful of flour.
3. This will remove any sand inside the mussels.
4. In heavy saucepan, heat oil; saute garlic, onion& celery until soft but not brown.
5. Add tomatoes& simmer for about 10 minutes to evaporate the remaining liquid.
6. Add remaining ingredients (except mussels), cover& simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Just before serving, add mussels, cover& simmer for 3- 5 minutes to allow the mussels open.
8. Discard any that don't.

Reviews

[~Leanne~]

I made this the other night for dinner and my husband who swore up and down that he hated mussels ate more than us all. Was very good, I served mine with pasta but sopping up the juice was excellent I used french bread and it was delicious.

[M&Mers]

Absolutely delectable! CountryLady, thank you for posting this recipe! The only changes I made were to add more garlic and to serve it over basmati rice. This will be my go-to recipe for Mussels Provencale! M&Mers

[Kaytie Did]

I made this last night for an appetizer. It was delicious. I added some slivered carrots, zucchini and red peppers to increase the vegi content, but otherwise made it exactly as the recipe suggested. The flavour was very good and everyone loved it...even those that said they didn't like mussels. This is a definite keeper...thanks.