Skip to main content

We joined chef James Strawbridge to take the the Ford Ranger Wildtrak on a memorable journey to the scenic shores of Fowey in Cornwall.

This special day saw James collaborating with local fishermen Gary from ‘Westcountry Mussels of Fowey‘, to delve into the work of mussel fishing in the beautiful St Austell Bay.

The adventure didn’t stop at the catch; it was only just beginning. With the Ford Ranger, equipped with the innovative ARB Slide Kitchen, James demonstrated the simplicity and joy of outdoor cooking.

On the stunning backdrop of Readymoney Beach, joined by friends from the Readymoney Beach Shop, James prepared a delightful dish that is both a nod to Cornish cuisine and a testament to the versatility of cooking in the great outdoors: a unique Smoked Mussel Carbonara.

The Ranger, with its robust capability and the addition of the ARB Slide Kitchen, proved to be the perfect companion for such an adventure, seamlessly integrating the spirit of exploration with the essence of outdoor cooking.

For those inspired by this blend of adventure and culinary exploration, we’re sharing James’s Smoked Mussel Carbonara recipe so you can bring a taste of this experience into your own kitchen – or perhaps, your next outdoor adventure.

Smoked Mussel Carbonara

For the hot smoked mussels
1

1 kg Westcountry Mussels
2

2 tbsp oak wood shavings
3

6-8 sprigs of thyme
4

100ml Cornish cider
5

50g butter
6

1 tbsp chives, finely chopped
7

1 tbsp dill, finely chopped
8

1 tbsp tarragon, finely chopped
For the hot smoked mussels
1

300g spaghetti
2

200g smoked streaky bacon
3

4 cloves of garlic
4

1 tbsp olive oil
5

1 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
6

2 whole eggs
7

Pinch of cracked black pepper
8

2 egg yolks
9

50g hard Padstow cheese or parmesan, grated
1

Start by boiling a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta for 10-12 mins.
2

Fry the bacon and garlic with olive oil and thyme, seasoning generously with black pepper. Cook for 9-10 mins, then remove from the pan, keeping the garlic and thyme-infused oil.
3

Smoke the mussels with oak shavings and thyme sprigs in a stovetop smoker over medium to high heat for 5-10 mins. Then, toss them in a saucepan with butter, cider, and herbs until fully cooked.
4

Whisk the eggs and egg yolks together in a bowl with the grated cheese.
5

Toss the cooked spaghetti in the infused oil, transfer to a serving bowl, and mix with the bacon. Then, toss with the cheese and egg mixture, adding pasta water if needed to achieve a creamy sauce.
6

Top the dish with the buttery smoked mussels and more freshly chopped herbs, seasoning to taste. Grate more cheese over the top if desired.