Spicy steamed Mussels

This is a great dish to a large bowl on the table and share the food. Serve with french bread of french fries.

What you need:

• 500g/1 lb 2oz fresh mussels
  

For the sauce

• 2 tsp garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh root ginger, finely chopped
• 1 tsp chilli bean sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tsp dark soy sauce
• 2 fresh red chillies, seeded and chopped
• 3 tbsp spring onions, finely shredded
• 3 tbsp groundnut or peanut oil

Preparation method

1. Clean the mussels clean.
2. Set up a steamer or put a rack into a wok or deep pan and fill it with 5cm of water. Bring the water to the boil over a high heat.
3. Place the mussels on a plate, then place the plate into the steamer or onto the rack.
4. Turn the heat to low so the water is barely simmering and cover the wok or pan tightly.
5. Steam gently for five minutes or until the mussels begin to open.
6. Meanwhile, combine all the sauce ingredients, except the oil, in a heatproof bowl.
7. Heat a wok or large frying-pan over high heat. When hot, add the oil. Heat the oil until it's very hot and slightly smoking, then pour the hot oil over the sauce ingredients.
8. Remove the mussels from the steamer. Discard any mussels that haven't opened.
9. Stir the sauce then pour over the mussels.
10. Garnish with fresh coriander sprigs and serve at once.

(inspired by Ken Hom)