Last year The Guardian published an article on the why mussels are good for us. “Mussels have the most impressive nutritional profile of all shellfish. They contain high levels of highly desirable long chain fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). These fats have many beneficial effects, including improving brain function and reducing inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis. Mussels are also a brilliant source of vitamins. Plus they give you a shot of important minerals, such as zinc, which helps build immunity. Mussels even contain levels of iron and folic acid to rival red meats.”

On Wednesday night our cooking class focused on delicious meals that will not mess with your New Year’s Resolutions of living a healthier lifestyle. One of the popular dishes demonstrated by Chef Pieter de Jager was a stew of West-Coast mussels, chorizo and tomato – healthy and full of flavour!

Try the easy recipe at home and do try it with our Culinaria Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc – it really is a special combination!

Mussels with chorizo and tomato concassé

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 hands full of fresh West-Coast mussels (washed and the beard removed)

10cm piece chorizo sliced

10cm piece celery, thinly sliced

½ red onion, thinly sliced

250ml Leopard’s Leap Classic Chenin Blanc

2 tbsp lemon juice

Salt and pepper

1 tbsp butter

1 clove garlic chopped fine

1 tbsp chopped parsley

1 tbsp chopped coriander

1 tbsp chopped basil

Concassé of 2 tomatoes (roughly chopped)

Method

Pre-heat a deep saucepan or Dutch oven covered with a lid, over a high heat. Place the cleaned mussels inside the pot along with the chorizo, celery, half of the sliced onion and Leopard’s Leap Classic Chenin Blanc.

Cover the pot with the lid and allow to steam for 3 to 5 minutes. Once all the mussels have opened, strain the liquid from the chorizo and mussels. Keep the cooking broth and discard any mussels that remained closed.

Season the cooking liquid with lemon juice, salt, pepper, butter and add half of the herbs into the broth.

Arrange the steamed mussels and chorizo in a deep serving bowl and pour the fragrant broth over the mussels. Season with the rest of the red onion, tomato concassé and the remaining herbs.

Serve with flat bread or ciabatta.

 

 

 

 

 

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