This simple but delicious hearty seafood risotto still stands out as one of the most memorable dishes I tasted. It’s simplicity is key and the savoury taste of the sea from plump mussels is injected into grains of arborio rice cooked until tender with sweet tomatoes and herbs.
700g Arborio rice
2 onions, very finely diced
450g ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 stalk of celery, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
A good handful of parsley, roughly chopped
A small handful of oregano, roughly chopped
5 tbsp of olive oil
½ tsp of dried chilli flakes
900g mussels in the shell, scrubbed and de-bearded
½ glass of dry white wine
900g waxy potatoes, peeled and sliced
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Large pot
Medium sized oven proof baking dish