Mussels in Cataplana with Mint-Olive Toasts

This dish saw its first light when a line cook—drawing on the traditional combination of saffron and mussels, but wanting something new that reflected the current interest in Indian food, the Far East, and Mexico—made curried creamed mussels with a cilantro pesto drizzled over the top. It was fantastic. This recipe, however, is less rich, and less complicated since you cook the ingredients together all at once.

Mussels vary in size, but twelve to fifteen per person should do for a f