Mussel Stew With Pineau Des Charentes Recipes

CLAM OR MUSSEL STEW WITH GREENS AND BEANS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water in the pot comes to a boil, salt generously and add the greens. Cook for one to three minutes (depending on the type of green) until just tender. Transfer to the ice water. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then drain, squeeze dry and chop. Set aside.
• Cook the clams or mussels in batches. In a large, lidded pan over medium heat, combine 1 tablespoon of the shallots, one garlic clove, the wine, parsley and thyme sprigs and half the clams or mussels. Bring to a boil, cover and cook about four minutes until they just open. Remove from the pan using tongs, and place in a bowl. Repeat with the remaining clams or mussels. When the seafood is cool enough to handle, remove from the shells, holding the shells over the bowl to catch their juice. Rinse briefly in case there is any lingering sand. Cut the clams in half if they're large. Strain the liquid in the pan through a cheesecloth-lined strainer into a small bowl, and set aside.
• Return the pan to medium heat, and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the remaining shallots and garlic and salt to taste. Cook gently for three to four minutes until the shallots are tender. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the chopped blanched greens. Cook, stirring over medium heat, for five minutes. Slowly pour the strained seafood juice into the pan, then add the beans and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer. Simmer five to 10 minutes. The greens should be very tender. Stir in the seafood, add several twists of the pepper mill, taste and adjust salt. Heat through and serve.

MUSSEL STEW WITH PINEAU DES CHARENTES

Steps:

• Combine first 5 ingredients in large Dutch oven over high heat. Boil 3 minutes. Add mussels. Cover and cook until mussels open, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Using slotted spoon, transfer mussels to serving bowl, discarding any that do not open; cover and keep warm. Reserve cooking liquid.
• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and sauté 3 minutes. Add flour and stir 1 minute. Whisk in reserved cooking liquid. Boil until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 7 minutes. Whisk in cream and parsley. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until liquid is reduced to 1 cup, about 3 minutes. Mix in Pineau des Charentes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over mussels and serve.

COD AND MUSSEL STEW WITH HARISSA

Steps:

• Make the harissa: In a blender or small food processor, place roasted pepper, garlic, paprika, cumin, caraway, cayenne and salt. Add 1/2 cup oil and pulse briefly to a smooth purée, making sure not to overprocess. Transfer to a bowl. (Alternatively, finely chop the roasted pepper by hand, and mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.) Set aside.
• Season fish chunks on both sides with salt and pepper, and place in a bowl. Add garlic, shallot, cumin, coriander, lemon juice, chopped cilantro and red-pepper flakes. Toss to coat evenly and leave to marinate for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Set a Dutch oven or wide heavy pot over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil. When oil is wavy, add fish chunks in one layer and let sizzle for 1 minute. Add bay leaves and tomato (and any remaining marinade) plus 1 cup water, and bring to a brisk simmer. Set mussels on top of fish chunks and cover pot. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, until mussels have opened. Turn off heat and leave covered for 5 minutes before serving.
• Divide seafood among deep plates or low soup bowls. Ladle juices from pot over each serving. Dollop each serving with about 2 tablespoons harissa. Garnish with cilantro sprigs. Pass more harissa at the table.

CABBAGE BRAISED IN PINEAU DES CHARENTES

Steps:

• Boil the buckwheat in vegetable stock.
• Cut the top off the cabbage. Hollow it out using a spoon or a knife. Chop.
• Heat oil in large pan. Saute onion & cabbage until just softened. Combine with cooked buckwheat.
• Fill it with the cooked buckwheat/cabbage mixture, cayenne, chili, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Replace the top and tie the cabbage up with string. There may be extra filling.
• Pour the sweet wine in a pan, add the cabbage and put the lid on. Leave to simmer for 1 hour. Make sure that it does not boil dry.

FRENCH COUNTRY FISH & MUSSEL STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan with a lid. Add the bacon or turkey rashers and stir-fry over a high heat for 1 min. Pour in the stock, then stir in the saffron, carrot, celery and leeks. Cover and cook for 10 mins over a medium heat.
• Add the tomatoes and beans to the pan, and cook for 10 mins more until the veg is tender. The consistency will be quite brothy, so if you fancy a thicker texture, use a hand blender and purée a little soup in the pan to thicken it.
• Stir in the fish and mussels, cover and cook for 5 mins more until the fish is just cooked and the mussels open. There will be too many shells, so take some of the mussels out of them. Stir through the parsley, then ladle into soup plates.