Italian Mussels

By Cooky

Ingredients

• 2 lbs mussels
• 1 onion
• 4 garlic cloves (I omit)
• 1 small green pepper
• 1 cup tomato sauce (the recipe called for spicy and I used Classic brand - the one with Italian Sausage, Peppers & Onions)
• (I also added a dash of hot sauce and/or cayenne)
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 cup water
• Crusty Bread or a Baguette

Details

Servings 2

Preparation

Step 1

1. Rinse mussels and pull off beards. If using whole ones, discard any that do not open.
2. Slice onion in half, then into thin wedges.
3. Mince garlic, if using.
4. Lightly oil a large pasta pot and place over medium heat.
5. When hot, add garlic and onion.
6. Stir occasionally until onion starts to soften, about 3 minutes.
7. Chop pepper.
8. Add tomato sauce and basil to the pot.
9. Bring to a boil over high heat.
10. Stir in mussels and cover.
11. Cook 3 minutes.
12. Stir in green pepper and water.
13. Continue cooking about 3-4 minutes (until mussels open if you are using whole ones). I cooked the 1/2 shell ones the same time as they are quite large.
14. Discard mussels that do not open.
15. Serve mussels and sauce in a large deep soup bowls with crusty bread to dip.

Enjoy!