The texture-rich dish features glossy, open mussels popping with vibrant orange, laying on a bed of slightly caramelised bright green leeks. The creaminess of the sauce with a hint of saffron-yellow and finely chopped parsley gives its elegance. A thin slice of whole grain baguette at the plate edge completes the picturesque composition.

Mediterranean Mussels and Leeks à la Française

Name: Mediterranean Mussels and Leeks à la Française
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: Fresh mussels, 2 lbs scrubbed and de-bearded; Leeks, 2 medium-sized, cleaned and thinly sliced; Garlic, 2 cloves minced; White wine, Half a bottle reasonably dry; Heavy cream, Half a cup; Saffron, A pinch soaked in a tablespoon of warm water; Thyme, 2 sprigs; Parsley, A handful chopped; Olive oil, 2 tablespoon; Salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; Whole grain baguette, 4 thin slices for serving

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 15 minutes

Style Mediterranean

Technique Sauteing

Diet Friendly Mediterranean

Daily Recipe: January 26, 2025

Inspired by French cuisine with a Mediterranean twist, this warming and hearty dish brings out the best of seasonal ingredients. The key ingredients include fresh mussels and leeks which bring an oceanic twist to the often earthy palette of the Mediterranean diet.

Ingredients (for 4)

Fresh mussels - 2 lbs - scrubbed and de-bearded
Leeks - 2 - medium-sized, cleaned and thinly sliced
Garlic - 2 cloves - minced
White wine - Half a bottle - reasonably dry
Heavy cream - Half a cup
Saffron - A pinch - soaked in a tablespoon of warm water
Thyme - 2 sprigs
Parsley - A handful - chopped
Olive oil - 2 tablespoon
Salt - to taste
Freshly ground black pepper - to taste
Whole grain baguette - 4 thin slices - for serving

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍳🧅🔥

On a medium-high heat, heat up the olive oil in a large pot. Add the thinly sliced leeks and minced garlic till softened, roughly 5 minutes.
Step 2 - 🍲🍷🌿

To the pot, add the scrubbed and de-bearded mussels, reasonably dry white wine, half a cup of heavy cream, a pinch of saffron (along with its soaking water), 2 sprigs of thyme and some black pepper to taste.
Step 3 - 💨🕓🔥

Cover the pot, and allow it to steam for between 7 to 10 minutes, until the mussels have opened up.
Step 4 - 🗑️🌿🧂

Discard any mussels that are still closed. Stir in a handful of chopped parsley and check for seasoning. Add salt to suit your preference.
Step 5 - 🍽️🍞🌱

Serve hot in deep bowls, garnished with extra parsley and a slice of whole grain baguette

Additional

Mussels are an excellent source of protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fats. To add a little zest, squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice on top, or sprinkle some chili flakes for heat. Buying mussels that are already cleaned and de-bearded saves a lot of prep time.