Ingredients
1/4 c. olive oil
1 onion
6 cloves garlic
3 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
2 c. drained canned tomatoes in thick puree
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. dried red-pepper flakes
4 lb. mussels
tsp. fresh-ground black pepper
salt
Garlic Toast (optional)
Preparation
Step 1In a large pot, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley, tomatoes, thyme and red-pepper flakes. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.Step 2Discard any mussels that have broken shells or that don’t clamp shut when tapped. Add the mussels to the pot. Cover; bring to a boil. Cook, shaking the pot occasionally, just until the mussels open, about 3 minutes. Remove the open mussels. Continue to boil, uncovering the pot as necessary to remove the mussels as soon as their shells open. Discard any that do not open.Step 3Stir the black pepper into the broth. Taste the broth and, if needed, add salt. Ladle the broth over the mussels and serve with the garlic toast.Step 4Wine Recommendation: Every Mediterranean country has its version of shellfish in a tomato-based broth, and the wine of choice for each is an earthy, full-bodied pink wine. Here, seek out a Lacryma Christi rosé.
