Recipes

Typically mussels are cooked in a tomato or wine sauce. But a light beer such as Pilsner has a more subtle flavour than a dry white wine. This pale lager can be substituted with any other mainstream beer. If you want to get a more intense flavour, try using a dark beer instead, such as an Oktoberfest type. Serve these mussels with a sourdough bread, perfect for soaking up the delicious broth.

• 2 tsp canola oil
• 1 1/2 tsp crushed garlic
• 1 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
• 1/8 tsp salt and pepper
• 2 lbs mussels, scrubbed and beards removed
• 1/2 bottle of Pilsner
• 2 cups diced plum tomatoes
• 2 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley or cilantro

1. In a deep pan, heat oil and sauté garlic and onion on a medium heat for about five minutes. Add jalapeno, salt and pepper and sauté another minute. Add mussels, beer and tomatoes, cover and steam for about three minutes or until mussels open.
2. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve immediately.

Nutritional value per serving: Calories 240; Protein 27 g; Carbohydrates 11 g; Fibre 0 g; Total fat 7 g; Saturated fat 1 g; Cholesterol 50 mg; Sodium 650 mg