Name: Grilled mussels with pesto, sun-dried tomato and cheese
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 24 fresh mussels; 2 tablespoon basil pesto; 2 tablespoon sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped; 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, finely grated; 125 gram créme fraîche; large pinch smoked paprika; lemon wedges, cherry tomatoes and fresh coriander, to garnish

Grilled mussels with pesto, sun-dried tomato and cheese

Take your next nibbles up a notch with Nici Wickes' grilled mussels recipe. Topped with tasty goodies then cooked until bubbling, these little bites are perfect for sharing with friends and family over drinks

Serves 6

Cook

30M

Ingredients

24 fresh mussels

2 tablespoon basil pesto

2 tablespoon sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped

2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, finely grated

125 gram créme fraîche

large pinch smoked paprika

lemon wedges, cherry tomatoes and fresh coriander, to garnish

Method

1.Gently steam the fresh mussels in a saucepan with a little water with the lid on until they spring open. Let them cool, then remove the meat and take out the tongue and any beard. The beard is much easier to remove once they have opened. On a large oven tray, lay out the nicest looking half shells and put a mussel in each.

2.Make the toppings by taking 3 ramekins or small bowls. Place the pesto in one, the sun-dried tomatoes in another and finally, the Parmesan in the other. Add 1 heaped tbsp crème fraîche to each and mix.

3.Top eight mussels with pesto, eight with sun-dried tomato and the remaining with Parmesan, sprinkling these ones with paprika.

4.Place under a hot grill and cook until bubbling.

5.Serve warm with the lemon wedges and garnish with the cherry tomatoes and coriander sprigs. Accompany with toothpicks or little forks for ease of eating – and don’t forget the napkins!