Ingredients: (Serves 4)
18 Mussels
½ Bottle beer, of your choice- we think an Ale works well
2 Lime, cut in half to serve
Crusty bread, to serve
Chilli jam:
2 Tablespoons olive oil
4 Long red chilli, deseeded and cut in quarters
2 Red shallots, cut in quarters
4 Cloves garlic
Thumb sized piece of ginger, peeled, roughly chopped
½ Bunch coriander, reserve leaves to serve
2 Teaspoons shrimp paste
2 Teaspoons palm sugar
2 Teaspoons light soy sauce

Method:

  1. If there is any excess stuff growing on your mussels, scrub them in little water. ‘Debeard’ your mussels by pulling up and out the little beards that are present at the seam of the mussel.
  2. To make the chilli base, in a small food processor, blend olive oil, chillies, shallots, garlic, ginger, shrimp paste and coriander roots and stems.
  3. Heat a wok on medium to high heat and add chilli base. Fry, stirring, for a couple minutes or until fragrant. Add palm sugar and soy sauce. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  4. Add beer. Once it returns to the boil add the mussels. Cover with a lid or an upside-down bowl and steam until the mussels open.
  5. To serve, divide mussels and broth evenly between bowls and top with coriander leaves. Serve with a cheek of lime, bread and perhaps another beer!