Mussels Au Vin Recipes

MOULES MARINIèRES (FRENCH MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE SAUCE)

Steps:

• Clean and prep mussels: Put the mussels in a bowl of salted water (1 tablespoon salt per quart of water) for 10-15 minutes. Throw out any that are wide open or refuse to close when you handle them as these ones are likely dead. Looking over the closed mussels, see if any still have their beards (long hairy byssal threads which help anchor the mussel to surfaces) and pull them out, pulling slowly and strongly towards the hinge of the shell.
• Sauté shallots and garlic: Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the shallots and cook a couple minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and cook a minute more. If you want your sauce to be a little thick, add a teaspoon or two of flour to the pan, stir to combine. (Otherwise skip the flour.)

MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE

Steps:

• To clean the mussels, put them in a large bowl with 2 quarts of water and the flour and soak for 30 minutes, or until the mussels disgorge any sand. Drain the mussels, then remove the "beard" from each with your fingers. If they're dirty, scrub the mussels with a brush under running water. Discard any mussels whose shells aren't tightly shut.
• In a large non-aluminum stockpot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 5 minutes; then add the garlic and cook for 3 more minutes, or until the shallots are translucent. Add the tomatoes, saffron, parsley, thyme, wine, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
• Add the mussels, stir well, then cover the pot, and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until all the mussels are opened (discard any that do not open). With the lid on, shake the pot once or twice to be sure the mussels don't burn on the bottom. Pour the mussels and the sauce into a large bowl and serve hot.

MUSSELS AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Scrape mussels under cold running water and remove beards. Discard any mussels that do not close when tapped.
• Combine mussels, onion, wine, and pepper in a medium pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook, shaking pot frequently, until mussels open, about 5 minutes.
• Combine bread crumbs, parsley, and garlic in a small dish. Whisk oil and lemon juice together in a second small bowl.
• Snap each mussel into 2 parts and place the shell with the meat in an oven-proof dish. Make sure no liquid remains on the shell; discard the empty shells. Spoon parsley mixture over the mussels and drizzle with the oil mixture.
• Bake mussels in the preheated oven until topping is crunchy, about 10 minutes.

MUSSELS PROVENCAL

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to boiling. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and mushrooms, and add the mussels. Season with basil, oregano, and tarragon. Cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir in olives and fresh tomatoes. Cover, and simmer 5 minutes.
• Serve mussels and sauce over pasta.

MUSSELS AU VIN

Steps:

• Scrub mussels under running water and remove any beards.
• Discard mussels which remain open during handling.
• In a large saucepan combine olive oil, red pepper, garlic, shallots and pancetta.
• Cook over low heat, stirring frequently for 5 minutes.
• Increase heat to high and add wine and mussels.
• Cover and cook for 3 minutes.
• With a slotted spoon remove mussels as they open and place on a warm serving dish; discard any mussels that remain closed.
• Immediately add cream and parsley to the broth and simmer to reduce slightly.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour hot broth over mussels in serving dish.
• Dress with chopped parsley.
• Serve immediately with crusty bread.
• Source: International Olive Oil Council.