In summer, with the high temperatures, we don’t want to spend long in the kitchen. We crave quick, healthy, and above all, refreshing dishes, and to make them you don’t need a pantry full of ingredients. With just three staples that are found in almost every kitchen you can whip up a recipe that will have you licking your fingers.
One of the ingredients most of us have at home is canned mussels. But what you may not realise is that, beyond making a delicious starter, they can save dinner if you pair them well. Today we present a very healthy and light recipe that will help you get the most out of that humble tin of mussels: tomatoes stuffed with a quick-and-easy filling. And if you like the idea, why not also try Russian salad with pickled mussels, this tasty mussel pâté, or an exotic ceviche.
Tomatoes stuffed with pickled mussels and onion
This tomato-stuffing recipe is ideal for the summer months and will take you no more than five minutes to prepare. You’ll be surprised at how easy and delicious it is!
Ingredients:
- Two large tomatoes
- A tin of mussels in brine (pickled mussels)
- A small white onion
Method:
- Carefully wash the tomatoes, pat them dry and cut off their tops so you can empty them with a spoon or a knife. Reserve all the interior pulp in a bowl.
- Finely dice the white onion and add it to the bowl with the tomato pulp.
- Open the tin of mussels in brine, pour the liquid into a glass and set it aside. Add the mussels to the bowl with the other ingredients.
- Add a generous splash of oil, a little vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper to the mussel liquid and emulsify it using a whisk.
- Mix the tomato pulp, the chopped onion and the mussels and dress them with the emulsified mixture. Give everything another good stir.
- Fill the tomatoes with the mixture using a teaspoon. You can garnish with a few parsley leaves if you have them. Easy and quick as can be!
What stuffed tomatoes with mussels bring to the table
The combination of tomatoes, white onion and canned mussels is a nutritious, tasty dish with a visually appealing presentation that you can enjoy as a starter or use as a garnish to another recipe. In addition to being quick and refreshing, the ingredients make it very healthy:
- The tomato, which, contrary to what we often think, is a fruit, is rich in antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, helping to prevent premature ageing and supporting our immune defences. It also provides lycopene, the pigment that gives it its characteristic red colour and that is highly antioxidant. It also contains minerals such as potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. A large part of its content (about 95%) is water, so it is very hydrating.
- The onion is also high in water (up to 89% of its content) and, consequently, very light. It provides fibre, vitamin C and E and minerals (such as potassium, calcium and phosphorus).
- The canned mussels, for their part, supply the protein needed to make this a filling and nutritious dish. They also contain vitamins and minerals (iron, iodine and potassium), as well as omega-3 fatty acids, recognised for their heart health benefits and anti-inflammatory effects.
On the other hand, this is a recipe with an interesting blend of flavours and textures: the sweetness and softness of the tomato, the bite and crunch of the onion, and the salty, tender, and juicy flavour of the canned mussels create a complex yet harmonious combination. Will you be tempted to make it?
If you found this article interesting and would like to receive more on healthy living, join Cuerpomente’s WhatsApp channel.
