Mussels Provencal, a classic Italian dish can be served as an appetizer, main dish or on the side; a perfectly simple Seduction Meal. Serve with warm garlic bread (for some good sauce dipping) and a hearty bottle of red wine. Pleasing your loved one just doesn't get any easier...or tastier.

Not only are mussels affordable and delicious, they are so easy to prepare, steaming in just 5-7 minutes. And let's not forget mussels are an excellent choice for a healthy meal: lean protein, low in saturated fat, a great source for zinc, and twice the iron found in a similar serving of beef.

Mussels Provençal Recipe

Ingredients
    •    2 lb fresh cultured blue mussels
    •    3 tbsp olive oil
    •    1 onion, finely chopped
    •    3 clove garlic, minced
    •    2 tbsp fresh chopped thyme
    •    3⁄4 cup red wine
    •    28 oz can peeled and diced tomatoes
    •    2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
    •    1 pinch salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Rinse the fresh blue mussels in tap water.
2. Place in a large saucepan with a small amount of liquid on high heat. Cover and let steam until shells open (5 - 7 minutes). Strain the mussels, reserving the liquid, and removing the meat from the shells. Set aside.
3. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté onions under low heat for 6 - 8 minutes, until onions get translucent and soft.
4. Add garlic and thyme, stirring for 1 minute.
5. Pour red wine and cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Add tomatoes and reserved liquid cover and let summer for 30 minutes.
7. Remove lid and let simmer for another 15 minutes.
8. Add fresh blue mussel meat, let cook 5 minutes.
9. Taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley.
10. Serve with bread to dip into the delicious sauce
    

If you have left overs, the sauce is even better the next day : )