Fragrant Steamed Mussels In Vermouth With Herbs And Shallots Recipes

FRAGRANT STEAMED MUSSELS IN VERMOUTH WITH HERBS AND SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Melt the butter with the olive oil in a very large saucepan (one that has a matching lid).
• Add the finely minced garlic and pink shallots and cook over a gentle heat until they are soft but not coloured, for about 5 minutes.
• Add the tarragon, parsley, salt and black pepper, sweat together for about 1 minute.
• Add the vermouth and wine and then tip in the cleaned mussels - give them a good stir and then put the lid on the saucepan and turn up the heat.
• Steam the mussels for about 2 to 8 minutes, this depends on the size of the mussels and if they are at room temperature or chilled; steam them until the shells have opened up.
• Serve the mussels in a large bowl with the cooking liquor poured over the top, and discard any mussels that have not opened up.
• Allow 500g per person for a main meal, with bread and frites.
• Make sure there is a bowl on the table to collect the empty mussel shells, plus plenty of napkins!

BIG MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND VERMOUTH

Steps:

• Heat pan over medium high heat. Add oil, garlic and thinly sliced red onion, then mussels. Arrange mussels in a single layer. Add vermouth to the pan and cover. Cook until mussels open. Discard any unopened shells. Transfer mussels to a bowl. Pour juice over mussels and sprinkle with parsley, salt and pepper. You'll need a second bowl, for shells.

MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND FINES HERBES

Steps:

• Clean the mussels: Scrub them well under cold running water. Debeard them, if necessary, pulling out any wiry fronds coming through the seams of the shells.
• In a large pot or deep sauté pan, combine the white wine, half the shallot, and the bay leaf. Place the mussels on top and cover with a lid. Bring to a boil over high heat to steam open the mussels, 3 to 4 minutes. You may want to give them a stir after 2 minutes to disperse the heat evenly among the mussels. When the mussels have opened (if there are a few that don't, this is an indication that they are dead or bad - discard them), transfer them to four shallow bowls.
• Strain the cooking liquid, through either a coffee filter or several layers of cheesecloth, into a clean pan, add the olive oil, remaining shallot, and garlic, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the mixture slightly; it will condense to an opaque liquid. Taste. If it's too salty, add a little water. Sprinkle the herbs and spoon the sauce over the mussels. Serve promptly, with a tangy baguette torn into large pieces, which you can use to soak up the broth when you're finished with the mussels.

STEAMED MUSSELS IN PERNOD BROTH

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pan. When the oil is hot, sauté the fennel, onions and shallots for 2 minutes. Add the garlic. Remove the sauté pan from the heat and add the Pernod®. Place the sauté pan back on the heat and flame the vegetables for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the tomatoes and wine and bring the liquid to a simmer. Add the mussels and parsley, cover and steam the mussels until all of the shells have opened, about 4 minutes. Discard any mussels that do not open their shell. Remove the mussels and let the broth cook for 2 minutes. Season the broth with salt and pepper, if needed. Remove the broth from the heat. Divide the mussels between two large shallow bowls. Spoon the broth over the mussels. Serve the mussels with the crusty bread.