Jul 14 2026

Cozze Di Mare Recipe

Time30m
Serves4

Fresh mussels cooked in a heavenly white wine, tomato & herb bath - OR - a delightful Calabrian white cream sauce.

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Ingredients

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Mussels

Calabrian White Cream Sauce (Optional)

Method

Preparing the Mussels

  1. 1

    Clean the Mussels

    Rinse the fresh mussels under cold water, scrubbing the shells to remove any dirt. Discard any mussels that are open and do not close when tapped.

  2. 2

    Sauté Aromatics

    In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped shallots, sautéing until they are fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

  3. 3

    Add Liquid Ingredients

    Pour in the white wine and crushed tomatoes into the pot. Stir well to combine and bring to a simmer.

  4. 4

    Cook the Mussels

    Add the cleaned mussels to the pot. Cover with a lid and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the mussels have opened. Stir occasionally.

  5. 5

    Season the Dish

    Once the mussels are cooked, remove the pot from heat. Stir in the chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.

  6. 6

    Serve

    Serve the mussels hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

Preparing the Calabrian White Cream Sauce (Optional)

  1. 7

    Melt the Butter

    In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.

  2. 8

    Combine Cream and Cheese

    Once the butter is melted, add the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

  3. 9

    Add Flavorings

    Stir in the Calabrian chili paste and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

  4. 10

    Finish with Fresh Herbs

    Remove from heat and stir in the chopped basil.

  5. 11

    Serve with Mussels

    Drizzle the cream sauce over the cooked mussels if desired, and serve immediately.

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