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Mussels in Garlic Sauce with Chicory

Treat your guests (or yourself ) to this irresistible mussels in garlic sauce with chicory recipe. The mussels are steamed with aromatic garlic, crisp celery, and slightly bitter chicory, then finished with a splash of sherry or vermouth for a subtle sweetness. The result is a light yet flavourful seafood dish that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together in minutes. Whether you’re hosting a relaxed dinner party, planning a romantic supper, or just craving a cozy bowl of steamed mussels, this dish delivers on flavour and simplicity. Serve it as a starter with crusty garlic bread to soak up the yummy sauce, or enjoy it as a main course with French fries (Belgian-style) or a green salad for a lighter option.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting Time 4 hours
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Cuisine: French
Calories: 1234
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g fresh mussels
  • 2 cloves garlic finely sliced
  • 1 knob of butter or 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 head of chicory thinly sliced
  • 1 celery stick thinly sliced
  • ½ cup sherry vermouth, or sweet white wine
  • Small handful of fresh parsley chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper optional

Method
 

  1. Prepare the mussels: Discard any mussels with broken shells. Rinse the rest in a sieve under cold running water. Pull out any “beards” or seaweed. If any mussels remain open, tap them gently with a spoon- if they don’t close, throw them away.
  2. Heat the butter or olive oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
  3. Add the celery and chicory and cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly softened.
  4. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the sherry, vermouth or wine along with the same amount of water.
  6. Bring to a boil and reduce slightly for 2–3 minutes.
  7. Add the mussels to the pan, cover with a lid, then steam for about 5 minutes, shaking the pan once or twice.
  8. The mussels are ready when their shells have opened. Discard any that remain closed.
  9. Serve with chopped parsley and season lightly with salt and pepper if needed.
  10. Serve immediately with crusty garlic bread, French fries, or a crispy salad.