Mussels with Chorizo and Fennel | Peggy Lampman's dinnerFeed

Recipe: Mussels with Chorizo and Fennel

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 links (1 pound) uncooked chorizo sausage, sausage removed from casing
1 large fennel bulb,cored and thinly sliced (reserve leafy fennel fronds for garnish)
1 teaspoon fennel seeds, optional
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 cups dry white wine
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 pounds mussels, scrubbed (discard any that will not close)

In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and break up with a fork.
When the sausage is browned, stir in the garlic, fennel seeds and sliced fennel and sauté an additional 3-5 minutes. or until the fennel is just transparent and slightly limp.
Add the wine and tomatoes and let simmer briskly for 5 minutes.
Add the mussels to the pan. Cover and cook until the mussels open (1-4 minutes). Spoon mussels and broth into serving bowls, discarding any that did not open. Sprinkle with reserved fennel fronds and serve.

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Number of servings (yield): 4-6 appetizer servings (4 main course servings if served over pasta)