A BOWL OF MUSSELS
PREP + COOK TIME MINUTES SERVES
kgsmallblackmussels
generouspinchofsaffronthreads
tablespoonsboilingwater
gbutter
clovesgarliccrushed
medium( g)brownonion
choppedfinely
¼cup(ml)drywhitewine
gcanchoppedtomatoes
freshbayleaf
freshoreganoleavestoserve
Removeanytoughfibrousbeards
thatarevisiblebetweenmusselshells
Scrubshellswithastrongscourer
Washunderplentyofcoldwater
Placesaffroninasmallbowland
coverwiththeboilingwater
Heatbutterinalargesaucepan
overmediumhighheat Addgarlic
andonioncookstirringforabout
minutesoruntilonionissoft
Addwinetomatoessaffronwater
andbayleaf Cookuncovered
forminutes
Addthemussels Coverthepan
withalidandcookoverhighheatfor
minutesshakingoccasionally
untilmusselshaveopened
Spoonmusselsintofourlarge
warmbowls Discardbayleaf Season
thesaucewithfreshlygroundblack
pepperandseasaltifneeded–the
musselsmaymakethesaucesalty
Spoonthesauceoverthemussels
Sprinklemusselswithoreganoand
servewithcrustybreadifdesired