Mussels Italiano

This classic Italian dish is full of flavor, with garlic, onions, basil, and tomatoes complementing the briny broth produced by the mussels. I got this recipe from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Clean Eating.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 60 mussels

Ingredients

• 2  lbs mussels, rinsed and cleaned
• 2  teaspoons olive oil
• 3  large garlic, cloves. peeled and minced
• 1⁄4 cup onion, chopped
• 8  leaves fresh basil
• 4  medium tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 1⁄4 cup white wine
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Clean mussels by rinsing under cold water and brushing them with a stiff kitchen brush. Pull out the beard by giving the fuzzy hairs sticking out of the sides of the mussel a yank. Remove any mussels that have cracked or opened shells.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over med-high heat. Add garlic, onion, and basil. Cook for 1 minute. mix in tomatoes, wine, black pepper, then heat for another 2 minutes. Add mussels, bring to a boil, and cover. Cook for about 4 minutes or until mussels open. Serve immediately in bowls.
3. Tip: Serve mussels with pasta or rice, or make garlic bread!