Spanish Inspired Musssels

not trying to flex any muscles or show off, but these mussels are super easy to make and feel pretty lux! It’s also a great excuse to drink wine with friends and the sauce is SO SO Soooo good dipping some buttery bread in it, I really think you’ll enjoy this, espiecally if you like seafood!

Spanish inspired Mussels

Prep:10 minutes  Total:30 minutes 

Ingredients :

3tbsp olive oil 

1 carrot, finely chopped 

1 stalk celery, finely chopped 

1 small onion, finely chopped 

3-4 cloves garlic, minced 

Salt and pepper 

1 tsp red pepper flakes, optional 

1 tsp Smoked paprika 

1lb spicy Italian sausage 

1c of dry white wine, I recommend pinto Grigio

3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 2tsp dried - stem removed 

1lb of fresh or frozen mussels, discard any that arrived open (or package instructions) 

A splash of  heavy cream (about 3 tbsp)

Optional: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and chives and lemon zest or wedges

I Recommended serving with some lemon wedges, toasty buttery bread or pasta and a cold Modelo (or more wine! )

In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the oil, followed by your mirepoix( carrots, onion, celery/ also garlic) add a pinch of salt and pep, add the paprika, red pepper flakes, thyme and cook until softened or translucent 10-15 minutes. 

Add sausage and cook until browned ,about 10 minutes .Once the meat is finished cooking add the wine and cream to the pot and mix, bring to a high heat, when it’s simmering, add mussels (or cooked mussels if ur dumb like me bc u didnt read the package, if using cooked it will cook for less time) and cover. It will cook for about 8-10 minutes, all the mussels should be opened, if they aren’t open it’s not ready,Or discard any mussels that didnt open. Garnish with fresh parsley, chives, or lemon if using you have options to toss in cooked pasta or eat with toasty bread and a cold modelo, enjoy!