Steamed Mussels with White Wine & Chiles

This is the kind of meal to share with friends, sitting around the table enjoying the flavor of the mussels, dipping crusty bread in the juices at the bottom of the bowl, and drinking a glass of white wine, or your favorite ice cold beer.

You should buy the mussels on the day that you are going to cook them, and scrub and debeard them in advance of cooking.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 4 lbs mussels, scrubbed and debearded
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  
• 1 tablespoons flat leafed parsley, plus a little for garnish
• 4 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 red chiles finely chopped
• 1 large baguette

Method

1. Place the olive oil in a large wide pot over medium heat.
   
2. Add the garlic and saute for about 2 minutes.
3. Add the scallions and the chiles and saute for another minute.
4. Add the mussels, and toss quickly to coat.
5. Add the white wine and and cover the pot.
6. Continue to cook over a medium-high heat for about 3 minutes, or until the mussels begin to open. Discard any mussels that do not open.
7. Add the tablespoon of chopped parsley, and toss to combine.
8. Continue cooking until all the mussels have opened.
9. Place the mussels in warmed serving bowls, or one large bowl (family style) and spoon over the wine mixture.
   
10. Sprinkle with the additional parsley, and serve immediately with the baguette.