Pip Pedley is one of our onboard chefs for this season and she has provided us with her favourite mussel recipe!
Here is a deeeeelicious recipe for mussels, sourced from Inverlussa Mussels on Loch Spelve on Mull of course!
Bacon & mussel chowder with kale (serves 3-4)
500g mussels, well scrubbed & beards pulled off
2 tablespoons rapeseed oil
150g smoked streaky bacon or pancetta lardons
1 large fennel bulb, outer tough layer removed & thinly sliced
1 leek, washed & sliced thinly in rings
100ml dry white wine (and a wee glass for yourself)
150g Kale, thick stalks removed, washed & shredded (Savoy cabbage will substitute nicely)
Salt & pepper
Check through the mussels. Tap them sharply on your work surface. Discard any that do not open or have been damaged. Heat the oil in a good-sized sauce pan. Fry the bacon on a medium/high heat till golden and crispy. Add the fennel and leek. Give this a good old stir and fry for a further 8-10 mins.
Chuck in the mussels and the wine, roughly 400ml hot water and a generous sprinkle of salt and a good pinch of pepper. Scatter the kale on top of the mussels. The idea is that it steams rather than boils so it wants to sit above the mussels. Turn up the heat to high, put the lid on and cook for about 5 mins. Have a check to see if all the mussels have opened – give the pan a controlled shake from side to side with the lid on (you don’t want mussel broth all over you!). Discard any that haven’t opened.
Have a taste and add a bit more salt & pepper if necessary. A nice bit of chopped parsley wouldn’t go amiss here. Ladle out into deep bowls and serve with a good hunk of crusty bread. Sit back and enjoy a little moment…
A really well-organised, well-executed cruise from a very professional company which clearly sets itself very high standards, and then exceeds them anyway. We had an outstanding crew on a great vessel (Lucy Mary). Our cruise was significantly affected by Storm Amy but was all the more enjoyable for it. We did ‘lose’,perhaps, one shore walk and others had to be adapted to the conditions. However we never felt we missed out and all enjoyed the experience, despite sheltering in suitable sea lochs, of some pretty rough conditions.. (The max gust we had was over 90mph). Much more atmospheric and fun than millpond calm. The crew were amazing, particularly given very challenging circumstances and having to test their skills in exceptional conditions. The teamwork between James (Captain), Indy and Piers (on the deck) mooring to a buoy, with restricted space for manoeuvring and force 11 winds was somewhat more than simply impressive! In the main cabin, Callum and Abz were also quite amazing. They would have been perfectly justified in serving a cold buffet for some of the worst storm-affected meals but we always had exceptional hot dishes, superbly presented throughout. Shore walks were well-judged for the conditions, always really enjoyable and informative. We saw plenty of wildlife, both on walks and from the deck of the Lucy Mary, including many more white-tailed (sea) eagles than we’d expected. We had booked the Master Cabin and it was superb, well appointed and extremely comfortable. Certainly worth the extra cost without a shadow of doubt. Thank you! We’ll be back!
Nigel and Selina Ward: 1 October 2025Inner Hebrides Big 5 Autumn Wildlife Cruise