Mussels with Garam Masala

A flavorful fusion dish combining fresh mussels with Indian spices, coconut milk, and aromatic vegetables. This Mediterranean-meets-Indian recipe features tender mussels in a fragrant sauce of garam masala, fennel, and tomatoes.

6 servings
27 min

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 bulb fennel
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • ¼ teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 4 pounds cultivated mussels
  • 1 cup basil leaves
  • to taste naan or crusty bread

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat oil in an 8-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Cook onion, fennel, garlic, garam masala, red-pepper flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, stirring occasionally, until onion and fennel are tender, 12 to 15 minutes.

    15 min

  2. 2.

    Add tomatoes with juice and coconut milk and bring just to a boil. Add mussels and cook over medium-high heat, covered, stirring occasionally, just until mussels open wide, 8 to 10 minutes. (Discard any that remain unopened after 10 minutes.)

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Chop about 2 tablespoons reserved fennel fronds and stir into mussels along with basil.

    2 min

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