![Creamy Pesto Mussels Recipe - Gen Taylor Recipe Video](/sites/default/files/styles/large_banner_image_1200_by_560_/public/images/2019-04/GenTaylor-Feature-pestoMussels.png?h=bde28bee&itok=gjTY3Wzc)
Creamy Pesto Mussels Recipe
Creamy pesto mussels served with grilled little gem lettuce and crusty bread.
Creamy Pesto Mussels Recipe
PrintIngredients
Method
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For the mussels:
1kg (2¼ lbs.)
mussels
25g (⅓ cup)
pine nuts
50g (bunch)
basil, leaves and thinner stalks roughly torn
2 tbsp.
olive oil
75ml (5 tbsp.)
double cream
15g (2 tbsp.)
freshly grated parmesan
1 clove
garlic, chopped
a squeeze (2 tsp.)
lemon juice, to taste
salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the grilled Little Gems:
2
Little Gem lettuces,
sliced in half through the root
2 tbsp.
olive oil
1 tbsp.
white wine vinegar
½ tsp.
caster sugar
1 sprig
rosemary, needles picked & chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
crusty bread, to serve
What to do in the kitchen:
- Tip the mussels into a colander and wash really well under cold running water. Discard any mussels that don’t shut when given a sharp tap against the edge of the colander, and pull away any beard-like threads. Set aside.
- To make the pesto, set a small frying pan over medium heat and tip in the pine nuts, toasting for a couple of minutes until they smell wonderfully nutty. Add to a food processor and pulse to grind. Add the basil and pulse again. Then add the olive oil, cream, parmesan, lemon, and a good seasoning of salt and pepper and whizz to a smooth creamy paste. Scoop into a bowl and set aside.
- To make the dressing for the grilled lettuce, add the olive oil, vinegar, caster sugar, rosemary and a seasoning of salt and pepper to a small jar and shake to combine.
What to do at the Barbecue:
- Fire up the barbecue. If you are using gas, set the burners to medium-high heat and leave to heat up for 10 minutes. Or with charcoal, light the fire and give the coals 30-40 minutes burn time so you have a good bed of glowing embers before you begin to cook.
- Once the barbecue is ready, prepare the foil parcels of mussels. Take 2 sheets of foil and lay one over the other in a cross shape. Repeat.
- Divide the mussels between the 2 foil crosses, piling them into the middle. Bring up the sides to create walls and then spoon half of the pesto onto each pile. Tightly seal to make 2 enclosed parcels. Place the parcels onto the grill bars and cook for 10 minutes, turning over a couple of times during cooking.
- Remove a parcel and carefully open it up - it should be steaming hot and all the shells open. If not, reseal and cook for another 5 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the heat of the grill.
- Whilst the mussels are cooking, cut the lettuces in half through the root. Brush the cut sides generously with dressing and place on the grill, cut side down. Cook for a few minutes until soft and lightly grilled.
- Serve the mussels and grilled lettuce with plenty of crusty bread to mop up the juices.
![Wash the mussels thoroughly - Gen Taylor Video Recipe](/sites/default/files/images/2019-04/GenTaylor-washPestoMussels.png)
Wash the mussels thoroughly
![Sauce the mussels and then seal them tightly in foil - Gen Taylor Video Recipe](/sites/default/files/images/2019-04/GenTaylor-saucePestoMussels.png)
Sauce the mussels and then seal them tightly in foil
![Make sure all of the mussels open before serving - Gen Taylor Recipe Video](/sites/default/files/images/2019-04/GenTaylor-steamyPestoMussels.png)
Make sure all of the mussels open before serving
![Serve with crusty bread and grilled baby gem lettuce - Gen Taylor Recipe Video](/sites/default/files/images/2019-04/GenTaylor-servePestoMussels.png)
Serve with crusty bread and grilled baby gem lettuce
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![Wash the mussels thoroughly - Gen Taylor Video Recipe](/sites/default/files/images/2019-04/GenTaylor-washPestoMussels.png)
Wash the mussels thoroughly
![Sauce the mussels and then seal them tightly in foil - Gen Taylor Video Recipe](/sites/default/files/images/2019-04/GenTaylor-saucePestoMussels.png)
Sauce the mussels and then seal them tightly in foil
![Make sure all of the mussels open before serving - Gen Taylor Recipe Video](/sites/default/files/images/2019-04/GenTaylor-steamyPestoMussels.png)
Make sure all of the mussels open before serving
![Serve with crusty bread and grilled baby gem lettuce - Gen Taylor Recipe Video](/sites/default/files/images/2019-04/GenTaylor-servePestoMussels.png)
Serve with crusty bread and grilled baby gem lettuce