Steamed Greek mussels feature in today’s first food post coming from Greece. A simple, happy dish, full of Greek flavors. They are sure to put a smile on your face.
Think oregano, white wine, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. Very common flavors throughout Greek cooking. Accompanied with grilled ciabatta (yes Italian for sure but popular in Greece nonetheless) and a crisp, chilled white wine, be transported to those laid-back Greek Islands with this dish.
Laid-back is a great choice of words to describe the people and cooking methods employed in the Greek Islands. Today, we also cover one of the best facets about traveling to the Greek Islands, the happy disposition of the people and how this is reflected in Greek cooking. And particularly on the Greek Islands.
The Greek Islands – Happy People, Happy Disposition, Great Food
We have all heard about the economic malaise going on in Greece and I am not here to comment about that. You could understand if people would be down in the mouth and have a poor attitude towards the outside world. But the fact is they don’t.
Despite heavy tourism throughout the islands, I am really pleased to report we did not find grumpy people. Instead we found a people full of laughter and good attitude only too pleased to help to make your stay memorable. They genuinely love living where they do in the magic tourist destination called the Greek Islands. Mykonos is one of the more popular Greek Islands.
And why not? The Greek Islands are beautiful. Blue sky, white buildings, warm and inviting sea and a great diet. It is hard not to be happy in this place. The locals enjoy a simple life. Family, friends, with simple, healthy foods and wine. All good.
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I am guessing most people who enjoy travel have at one time or another, dreamt of eating grilled seafood on a sea-side taverna in the Greek Islands? Well I’m here to tell you it is everything it is cracked up to be.
The simple lifestyle is reflected in the food. Simple, healthy, not too many ingredients, heavily seafood-based but a good sprinkling of spit-roasted meats as well, generally grilled, great Greek salads, I could go on. There aren’t too many fancy sauces or complex cooking methods. It’s all about simplicity and fresh ingredients.
Eating is a time for relaxing, laughing and not to be rushed. If you are looking for super quick service and eating a meal in 20 minutes, then select a different country, you are in the wrong place!
The Greek Islands force you to slow down. Think beach, reading a book and lazy long meals by the seaside. Yes, that’s it in a nutshell.
Seaside dining is everywhere throughout the Greek Islands and we spent many a long, lazy afternoon enjoying barbecued seafood, village wine, the subject of a future post, and a few laughs. It was the highlight of the day. That simplicity I spoke about, is well and truly reflected in our featured dish today.
Steamed Greek Mussels
Mussels are commonly available throughout the world and they feature heavily in countries with any expanse of coast line. There are many variations, but the most common method of cooking them is to steam them in a small amount of liquid and various herbs and spices.
And that’s exactly how our steamed Greek mussels are cooked. Liberal amounts of garlic, tomatoes, oregano, white wine, parsley and a little olive oil provide that great Greek taste. Add some grilled ciabatta and you have enough for a main meal for two people or an appetizer for four people.
Steamed Greek mussels are a great dish as mussels are one of the cheaper shellfish to buy and they just taste great.
| Servings | Prep Time | Cook Time |
| 2people | 30minutes | 12minutes |
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 2people | 30minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 12minutes |
- 2 lb mussels cleaned and de-bearded
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic sliced
- 3 tomatoes chopped
- 2 tbsp oregano, fresh, leaves or 1 tablespoon dried
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 tbsp parsley
- 1 lemon juice only
- 3 slices ciabatta grilled. Click on link for recipe
|
Ingredients
Servings: people
Units:
|
- Clean and de-beard the mussels.
- Over a medium heat, add the olive oil and garlic. Stir occasionally, until the garlic is golden. Then add the tomatoes and oregano. Stir to combine, place a lid on the pan and cook until tomatoes start to break down, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the wine to the pan and when simmering again, add the mussels. Turn the heat up to medium/high and replace the lid. Shake the pan around occasionally and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until all of the mussels have opened. Discard any that don't open.
- Place mussels and sauce in a serving dish. sprinkle with parsley and serve with ciabatta and lemon juice.
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evan kristine
This looks awesome! Simple, rich and absolutely divine!
Editor
Nice summary Evan. We really love mussels and so cheap on the pocket.
Peter Block
Looks great. Restaurant quality! Fun pics of Greece.
Editor
Easy to make that’s for sure. But that is most Greek cooking. When you have good ingredients no need to make it too complicated.
Christie
When I was a kid we traveled through some of the Greek Islands. Just beautiful like this recipe. I love how quick and easy mussels are to cook.
Editor
Aren’t they the best. We would love to go back to the Greek Islands and visit some of those we haven’t been to. Thanks for your comment.
Revathi Palani
Looks so beautiful and delicious. Yummy 🙂
Editor
Thanks for that. They were rather tasty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Love the Greek flair! So much freshness!
Editor
Yes and with a little attitude thrown in with that oregano. Thanks for your comment.
Emma Walton
We’ve been to various Greek islands over the years – Xakynthos, Corfu, Kos…each of them is a little slice of paradise and you’re dead right that the people are super friendly. The seafood is also fantastic. You can’t beat fresh mussels. These sound just like those I’ve had on holiday so many times. Great recipe!
Editor
Thanks Emma. It’s a great place to visit and lived up to our expectations. We really enjoyed just having lunch at a different taverna each day. Naxos was our favorite Greek island but we only went to 3 of them. A good excuse to go back! Thanks for your comment.
Priya
This looks so delicious! Love all the flavors in it and so easy to put together!
Editor
You’re right there Priya. Thanks for your comment.
Just Jo
I love all these flavourings so what’s not to like? Love the shots of Greece itself too 🙂
Editor
Yes the flavors of Greece. Greece is just like you read about. Thanks for your comment.
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
I only had mussels in Turkey and they usually stuff them with rice and spices. These steamed mussels look so delicious and sound like a wonderful alternative for the one I’ve already have!
Editor
The famous stuffed Turkish mussels – we enjoyed those too in Istanbul. These steamed ones are simple to make. Thanks for your comment.
Shihoko
Although I have never tried and have never eaten mussels before, this recipe sounds great with fresh ingredients available and simple way to cook:D. If I can find fresh mussels in Brisbane, I will definitely try it with this recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Editor
I’m sure you will find mussels in Brisbane. Give them a go they’re great. Thanks for your comment.
Sarah
This looks incredible. There is nothing like mussels!!
Editor
So easy to make. The taste of the sea!
Editor
You’ll love it Nikki if you like great fabrics. It’s right in the middle of the Bangkok, so easy to get to. Thanks for your comment.
Lillian @ The Smalls Abroad
We love mussels – I’ll have to try this. I wasn’t completely enamored with the Greek Islands unfortunately – especially Mykonos and their horrible airport making traveling there a nightmare. It’s unfortunate they haven’t managed the influx of tourist and made the infrastructure catch up. It’s a beautiful place otherwise.
Editor
OK I have to agree with you about Mykonos airport, it leaves a lot to be desired. Try those mussels though, you’ll love them. Thanks for your comment.