A colorful, steaming bowl heaped with glossy mussels, their blue-gray shells contrasted against the vibrant red chili tomato broth. Sprinkles of bright green coriander and wedges of lime are strewn across the top for a vibrant pop of color.

Mexican-Style Mussels in Chili Tomato Broth

Name: Mexican-Style Mussels in Chili Tomato Broth
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2kg mussels washed and debearded; 2 tbsp olive oil; 4 cloves garlic finely chopped; 1 tsp chili powder; 1 fresh red chili sliced; 800g canned diced tomatoes; 1 cup organic chicken stock; 2 lime zested and juiced; a handful fresh coriander chopped; to taste sea salt

Spicy, flavorful mussels in a zesty tomato broth.

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style Mexican

Technique stewing

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily recipe · December 04, 2023

A little about this dish

Reinventing typical Mexican fare, this beautiful and flavorful dish boldly features mussels in a warm, spicy tomato broth, creating a cozy fusion for a chilly day. Fresh mussels lend a sea-salty depth to the dish while smoky chili, zesty lime, and fragrant coriander add layers of complexity.

Ingredients (for 4)

Mussels — 2kg — washed and debearded
Olive oil — 2 tbsp
Garlic — 4 cloves — finely chopped
Chili powder — 1 tsp
Fresh red chili — 1 — sliced
Canned diced tomatoes — 800g
Organic chicken stock — 1 cup
Lime — 2 — zested and juiced
Fresh coriander — a handful — chopped
Sea salt — to taste

Preparation

Step 1 — 🔥🍲🌶️

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat then sauté the garlic and sliced chili until fragrant.
Step 2 — 🥘🌶️😍

Add the chili powder to the sautéed garlic and chili, stirring it in for an additional minute.
Step 3 — 🍅🥣🔥

Pour in the diced tomatoes and chicken stock, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
Step 4 — 🍲🔥💨

Add mussels to the pot and cover. Cook until mussels open, this will take around 7-10 minutes.
Step 5 — 🍲👀⛔

After cooking, meticulously discard any mussels that remain unopened.
Step 6 — 🥣🍋🧂

Stir in the lime juice and zest for that tangy flavor. Season with sea salt, if necessary.
Step 7 — 🥣🥄😋

To serve, ladle mussels with broth into bowls and garnish with chopped coriander. Add a sprinkle of fresh lime zest and serve with lime wedges.

A final fox tip

You can swap the chicken stock with vegetable stock for a pescatarian-friendly option. Kids can help with washing the mussels and picking the coriander leaves. This dish is a great way to introduce mussels to first-timers, featuring them in a familiar and comforting broth. Don't forget to take plenty of close-up shots to capture the glistening mussels in their spicy, tomato-y bath before devouring!