Moules Frites French Recipes

MOULES FRITES

Steps:

• Tip the mussels into a large bowl of cold water. Discard any that remain open when tapped, then drain well and pull away any 'beards'. (Fresh mussels look black and shiny and should only smell pleasantly of the deep sea - the vast majority should be tightly closed. Avoid any that smell 'fishy', look dry or are mostly open.)
• Thinly slice the vegetables and garlic. Roll the chilli in your hands to loosen the seeds, then slit in half and shake out the seeds. Slice the flesh into thin sticks, then stack together and finely chop. Pick over the thyme sprigs, discarding the thick stalks, and pick the parsley leaves from the stalks. Prepare the chips (see recipe, below right).
• Place a large, heavy-based sauté pan (with a lid) on the hob and heat until you can feel a strong heat rising. Pour in the oil, then immediately toss in all of the vegetables, chilli and thyme. The thyme sprigs will crackle if the pan is hot enough. Cook for about 1½ mins, shaking the pan and stirring the vegetables until they start to wilt.
• With the heat still on high, toss in all the mussels and shake the pan so they form an even layer. Cover with a lid and cook for another 1-2 mins, shaking the pan once or twice.
• Uncover the pan and pour in the wine and Pernod. Shake and cook for another 1½ mins so the wine reduces by half, then cover again and cook for another min. Place a large colander over a bowl and tip the mussels and vegetables into the centre. Discard any mussels that remain closed. Fry the chips.
• Pour the strained liquid back in the pan, reheat and stir in the crème fraîche and whole parsley leaves. Check the seasoning; you may not need any salt. Return the mussels and vegetables to the pan and reheat, shaking the pan, then divide between two large soup bowls. Serve the chips and mayonnaise (recipe below) alongside.
• TIP: Make the mayo and prepare the chips before you start the mussels. Fry the chips after you have cooked the mussels and while they are still draining in the colander, then finish the sauce.

MOULES FRITES - FRENCH/BELGIAN BISTRO STYLE MUSSELS AND CHIPS

Steps:

• Frites/Chips:.
• Slice the potato into thin strips (2mm x 2mm) and rinse in salted water. Heat a deep fat fryer to 325°F/160°C (preferably using sunflower or groundnut oil). Place the frites/chips in and cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
• Moules/Mussels:.
• Tip the mussels into a large bowl of cold water, rinse and then drain well and pull away any 'beards'. (Fresh mussels look black and shiny and should only smell pleasantly of the deep sea - the vast majority should be tightly closed. Avoid any that smell 'fishy', look dry or are mostly open.).
• Place the chopped onion, shallot and garlic in a saucepan with the olive oil, gently sweat them over a low to medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until slightly soft.
• Add the chopped herbs, and pernod or pastis if using and mix with the onion mixture.
• Add the washed mussels to the pan and cover with dry white wine, bring slowly to the boil, then simmer gently whilst stirring. Continue until the mussels have opened - discard any that do not open, this can take between 2 to 5 minutes.
• Add the creme fraiche if using, mixing through the cooked and opened mussles. Cover until the frites/chips are cooked.
• Whilst the moules are cooking, turn up the deep fryer to 375°F/190°C and salt the frites/chips. Add the frites/chips back to the oil for around 1 minute until golden and crispy.
• Serve the moules in a deep bowl with the frites/chips on the side - providinf plenty of napkins and a large bowl for the shells.
• Note - to make the best frites/chips your uncooked frites/chips should be washed in cold water and dried thoroughly before cooking.

MOULES FRITES - BELGIAN MUSSELS WITH FRENCH FRIES (OVEN FRIES)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray 2 baking pans generously with cooking spray.
• Divide potatoes between the 2 pans. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over each pan. Season with salt and pepper. Toss potatoes so they get evenly coated with oil and seasoning. Lay out in a single layer on each pan.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then flip over and bake for 10-12 more minutes, until fries are browned and slightly crispy. While fries are baking, make the mussels. (If the fries are done before the mussels are ready, put them back in the oven for the last few minutes as you're making the mussels to keep them hot and crispy.)
• Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet or pot that has a cover. Add leek and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook about 2 more minutes, until leek is soft and garlic is fragrant.
• Add wine and ½ cup water. Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Add the mussels and cover. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Remove mussels from the pot and place in serving bowl. Discard any mussels that do not open after cooking. Add the parsley to liquid in the pot and stir to combine. Pour the liquid over the mussels. Serve mussels with fries on the side and mayonnaise for dipping the fries.

MOULES FRITES

Steps:

• clean the mussels in cold water and scrub off the beards. Discard any opened mussels
• Heat a large pan with lid with olive oil and saute the onions for 2 minutess then add garlic for 1 minutes
• Toss in the mussels and put on the lid and cook for 2 minutes and shake pan
• Add dry white wine and cook for further 2 minutes
• Scoop out all mussels and discard any that have not opened
• Add creme fraiche to the pan and reduce by half
• Add mussels and parsley back to the pan ready to serve
• Heat oil for frying in a high sided pan
• Peel potatoes and cut into chips
• Mix the flour and cayenne pepper and toss chips in the mixture
• Deep fry till golden and crispy
• Toss cooked chips in some more pepper mixed with salt ready to serve

MUSSELS MARINIERE

Steps:

• Scrub mussels. Pull off beards, the tuft of fibers that attach each mussel to it's shell, cutting them at the base with a paring knife. Discard those that do not close when you handle them and any with broken shells. Set aside.
• Combine onion, garlic, 4 tablespoons parsley, bay leaf, thyme, wine, and 2 tablespoons butter in large pot. Bring to boil. Lower heat, and cook 2 minutes. Add mussels, and cover. Cook just until shells open, 3 to 4 minutes. Do not overcook. Remove mussels from sauce, and place in bowls.
• Strain liquid, and return to pot. Add remaining butter and parsley. Heat until butter melts. Pour over mussels.

MOULES-FRITES

Steps:

• Rinse the potatoes, peel them and rinse them again. Dry them well in a cloth.
• Cut the potatoes into French fries, regular width and length, about ½ inch (1 cm) thick.
• Dry the potato sticks with a cloth again.
• Melt the beef fat in a deep fryer and then heat it to 280 F (140°C).
• Fill the basket with fries, without packing them too much, then immerse the basket in the oil for 6 minutes of frying.
• Shake the basket a little during cooking to prevent the fries from sticking together. They should be golden and cooked to the core but still be a little soft.
• Drain the fries by shaking them over the fryer, and allow them to cool completely before the second fry.
• After or towards the end of the cooking of the mussels, immerse the fries in the oil heated to 350 F (180°C) for 2 to 3 minutes, shaking the basket regularly so that the cooking is uniform.
• As soon as they are colored, drain them and place them in a bowl covered with paper towel. Season with salt and serve immediately.
• In a large Dutch oven or pot, melt the butter over low heat, add all the minced vegetables and brown for 5 minutes over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Increase the heat to the maximum, without burning the butter, add the mussels to the pot and add the bay leaf and thyme. Cover immediately.
• After a minute, add the wine, and as soon as it boils again, add black pepper and cover the pot.
• Shake the pot, holding the lid on well to distribute the aromas.
• Continue cooking over high heat and still covered, shaking the pot from time to time.
• Stop cooking when the mussels are open, and serve.

CLASSIC MOULES FRITES

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or straight-sided 12-inch saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the white wine and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the mussels, cover and steam until open, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the mussels to a large serving bowl.
• Add the creme fraiche, parsley, butter, chives and mustard to the remaining cooking liquid and bring just to a boil while stirring to combine. Pour the sauce over the mussels. Serve with French fries.

MOULES FRITES

Steps:

• Make the fries: Put the peanut oil in a 6 quart dutch oven, heat the oil to 375Fº, then add potatoes and cook until golden brown and crispy, 15-20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer fries to a plate lined with paper towel. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, cook the mussels: Heat a 8 quart wide pot at medium-high heat for 1 minute then add olive oil. Add onion and celery into the pot and saute for 5 minutes. Don't brown the vegetables, just soften them. Add thyme, bay leaves, mussels, salt and pepper, mix everything well, add white wine and cover. Cook 5-10 minutes, until all mussels are opened. Stir during half time. Serve hot and don't forget to pour the sauce over the mussels.