Steamed Mussels with Gremolata and Olive Toasts

Mussels: Rinse the mussels in cold water and scrape off any barnacles with a knife. Pull off the beard with a sharp downwards tug.

Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan and cook the onions and garlic until soft. Increase the heat and add the bay leaf, parsley stalks, saffron, white wine and the mussels. Stir then cover and cook for a few minutes, shaking the pan occasionally. Take off the lid and remove the mussels that have opened. Put the lid back on and steam until the remaining mussels have opened. Discard any that don’t open. Pile the mussels in a serving bowl and pour over the juices.

Gremolata: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and season to taste.

Olive toasts: Grill the bread until golden. Rub one side with a cut piece of garlic. Spread with olive paste and cut each piece in half on the diagonal.

To serve: Sprinkle the gremolata over the mussels and tuck in the pieces of toast.