Mussels Fra Diavolo

Restaurant-quality food is actually easier to make than you might think. Take this recipe, for example, courtesy of my dad who is a chef. Making mussels fra diavolo at home might seem daunting, but according to him, the hardest part of this recipe is finding good, fresh mussels.

PREP: 5 min | COOK: 15 min | Serves 4

Mussels Fra Diavolo at Augie's Restaurant

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 lb mussels 

• Olive oil

• 2 cloves of chopped garlic

• Crushed red pepper (to taste)

• 1 cup white wine

• 2 cups marinara sauce or crushed tomato

• Fresh basil

• Salt (to taste)

INSTRUCTIONS: 

• Rinse mussels in a bowl under ice-cold water. Toss and inspect the mussels to remove any sand or barnacles, and check that they’re all closed. If any are open, discard them.

• Drain out the water and set the mussels aside.

• Sauté garlic and crushed red pepper flakes with a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan on medium heat.

• Once the garlic is slightly browned, add in the mussels.

• Pour in the white wine to de-glaze the pan. Then, add the marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes. Stir and cover with a lid.

• Cook for about five minutes with the lid on. After five minutes, check that the mussels have opened up. Add a pinch of salt and fresh basil.

• Enjoy on its own, with garlic bread, or over pasta!