Mussels are an inexpensive way to get a lot of seafood taste. With about $5, you’ll get a pound, and can over-serve two people. And just a few minutes of preparation.
Rinse the mussels. If you purchase these in a grocery store they will already be cleaned several times and not still have dirt and sand in them. If you’ve found them yourself, you will need to do this yourself. In a very large pot, heat about a tablespoon of olive oil. Saute a small onion in the oil. Add about 1 cup of dry white wine. When the wine comes to a boil toss in the washed mussels. When the first shell opens toss in the chopped tomato and basil. Give them all another minute on the heat and serve.
A warm crusty bread is an excellent accompaniment. Because there will be nice broth left in your bowl after eating all the mussels. Above we added some peppers from the garden and a garnish of green onions. And served them as is traditional in France – with French Fries.