MIDIA SAGANAKI – GREEK MUSSELS IN TOMATO SAUCE WITH FETA
Experience the authentic flavors of Greece with Midia Saganaki, a beloved appetizer featuring fresh mussels steamed in white wine and simmered in a rich Greek-style tomato sauce. Enhanced with aromatic oregano and topped with crumbled feta cheese, this dish brings the sunny spirit of the Mediterranean straight to your table.
🕒 Prep Time: 10 min
🍳 Cook Time: 20 min
🍽️ Servings: 4
🥄 Ingredients
- 1 kg fresh mussels, cleaned and debearded
- 50 ml dry white wine
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green chili pepper, finely chopped (or chili flakes, optional)
- 250 ml Greek-style tomato sauce
- 80 g feta cheese (sheep and goat milk blend), crumbled
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the mussels: Clean mussels thoroughly, removing beards. Discard any open or broken mussels. Drain for 10 minutes in a colander.
- Steam mussels with wine: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and white wine in a large pan with a lid. When boiling, add mussels, cover and steam on low heat for 5 minutes. Shake pan or gently stir occasionally. Mussels should open and release juices.
- Separate mussels: Remove mussels with a slotted spatula, reserving cooking liquid. Discard unopened mussels. Remove half the mussels from shells; leave the rest in shells.
- Prepare sauce: Heat remaining 2 tbsp olive oil. Sauté onion and chili until soft. Add reserved cooking liquid and tomato sauce. Bring to boil, stir in oregano and crumbled feta. Simmer 1 minute.
- Combine and serve: Add all mussels back to sauce, fold gently to coat, remove from heat. Serve immediately with rustic bread to soak sauce.
💡 Tips
- Always use fresh, tightly closed mussels for best taste and safety.
- Adjust chili according to your heat preference.
- Save leftover sauce for pasta or grilled fish dishes.
📝 Final Thoughts
Midia Saganaki is a perfect balance of fresh seafood and rich Mediterranean flavors. This simple yet elegant dish is ideal for sharing with friends and family, bringing a touch of Greek island charm to any meal. Easy to prepare, it’s sure to impress your guests and delight your taste buds.