the best mussels recipe.

I posted about the best date night and thought I'd share with you the recipe for the mussels we made since it was the best we've ever had. And we love mussels. And crusty grilled garlic butter bread. And arugula salad. It's the perfect combination. 

Spicy Mussels in White Wine
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 onion, thinly sliced (we used a whole onion)
6 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dry white wine
2 1/4-inch-thick lemon slices (we used a whole lemon)
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 1/2 pounds fresh mussels, scrubbed, debearded
1/2 cup chopped seeded tomatoes

*Keep in mind that this can be done on the grill in a Le Creuset or similar* 

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, tomatoes, garlic, fennel seeds, crushed red pepper and salt; sauté until onion is light brown, about 4 minutes. Add wine, lemon slices and 1/4 cup parsley; bring to boil. Add mussels. Cover pot and cook until mussel shells open, stirring once to rearrange mussels, about 6 minutes; discard any mussels that do not open. Using slotted spoon, transfer mussels to large shallow bowl. Boil broth in pot until reduced to 1 cup, about 3 minutes; season to taste with pepper. Pour broth over mussels. Sprinkle remaining parsley over.

I paired it with an arugula salad with goat cheese, tomatoes and a homemade honey lemon olive oil dressing and it was delicious. Highly recommend.