Chilli Stuffed Mussels

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 10
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 finely chopped red onion
• 3 finely chopped garlic cloves
• 2 finely chopped small red chilies (seeded)
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
• 2 lbs mussels, scrubbed and bearded
• 1/4 cup wine
• 1/4 cup dry sherry
• 1/2 cup crushed canned tomato
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped thyme
• 1 teaspoon caster sugar
• 1/3 cup finely grated manchego cheese
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped flat leaf parsley (italian)

Recipe

• 1 chilli tomatoe sauce:.
• 2 heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• 3 add onion and cook, stirring for 5 mins or until soft and golden.
• 4 add the garlic, chillies and paprika, cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
• 5 increase the heat to high and add the mussels, wine, sherry and a large pinch of salt.
• 6 stir everything together, then cover and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, or until the mussels pop open.
• 7 discard any that did not open.
• 8 remove the mussels from the pan and leave until cool enough to handle.
• 9 while the mussels are cooling, stir the crushed tomatoes into the sauce along with the thyme and sugar.
• 10 bring to the boil and allow to boil for approx 15 mins or until thick and pulpy.
• 11 meanwhile, when the mussels are cool enough to handle, pull them out of their shells and set aside. pull the shells apart at their hinges into two halves.
• 12 choose the biggest halves, remove any muscle with a sharp knife, then rinse well, pat dry with paper towels.
• 13 finely chop the mussel meat, stir it through the sauce, then take the sauce off the heat.
• 14 spoon the sauce into the mussel shells and sit them on a foil-lined baking tray.
• 15 preheat the broiler to high.
• 16 topping:.
• 17 combine the cheese, breadcrumbs and parsley and sprinkle it over the mussels.
• 18 drizzle with olive oil, then put the baking tray under the broiler for 2-3 mins or until topping is crisp and golden.