Ingredients
- 2 kg of very fresh mussels
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 4 tbsps of Extra-virgin olive oil
- A small bunch of fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- Plenty of freshly ground black pepper
To serve
- Sliced lemon
- Toasted sliced sourdough bread
Instructions
Make sure to clean the mussels by rinsing them with running water and removing any impurities that are stuck to their shells. For more information on how to properly clean mussels, refer to my article.
In a large pan, heat the olive oil over low heat and add the chopped garlic. Be sure to keep the heat low to avoid burning the garlic, and cook for 5 minutes or until fragrant.
Add the mussels to the pan and cover with a lid. Firmly hold the lid with one hand and the pan handle with the other hand, then shake the pan vigorously with an ascending movement until all the mussels are opened, about 5 minutes.
Once all the mussels are opened, sprinkle them generously with freshly ground black pepper and chopped parsley.
Serve the Neapolitan peppery mussels immediately with sliced lemon and toasted bread. Enjoy!
Notes
To maintain the flavour and quality of the peppered mussels, it is highly recommended to avoid storing them. Therefore, it’s best to consume them immediately after cooking for the best dining experience.
An easy and popular variation of the traditional peppered mussels recipe is to add chopped tomatoes. To achieve this, simply add 2 or 3 tablespoons of chopped tomatoes to the oil and garlic, and cook for 5 minutes before adding the mussels. This will add a delightful burst of fresh tomato flavour to the dish.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Fish
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: seafood, mussels, peppercorns, quick cook, easy recipe, Neapolitan food, cucina povera