Mussels Marinière Recipes

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.

THE BEST MOULES MARINIèRES (SAILOR-STYLE MUSSELS) RECIPE

Steps:

• In a medium Dutch oven or large saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat. Add leeks, shallot, garlic, and bay leaves. Season lightly with salt and heavily with black pepper and cook, stirring, until vegetables are very soft but not browned, about 10 minutes.
• Increase heat to high and add cider or wine. Bring to a boil and let reduce by half, about 2 minutes. Add mussels, stir, cover, and cook, shaking pan constantly and peeking every 30 seconds to stir. As soon as all the mussels are open, transfer mussels to a bowl using tongs. Place pan lid over bowl to keep mussels warm.
• Remove from heat and whisk in remaining butter along with mayonnaise or crème fraîche (if using). Return mussels to pot, add parsley, lemon juice, and lemon zest, stir to combine, then transfer to a warm serving bowl. Serve immediately with additional mayonnaise (if using) and broiled bread.

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 MARINIERE

Steps:

• Place a grill pan over high heat. Drizzle both sides of the bread with olive oil. Grill the bread, on both sides, until toasted, about 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
• In a large saute pan or cast iron skillet, melt the butter with the shallots, herbs and mussels. Add the wine and seasonings, to taste. Cover and cook over high heat until the mussels are open. Season to taste and finish with chopped parsley. Place the grilled bread on top of the mussels and drizzle with Bearnaise Sauce.
• Bearnaise Sauce:
• 2 medium shallots, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
• 3 egg yolks
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 pound unsalted butter, clarified
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon
• In a small saucepan, combine the shallots, pepper, white wine, and vinegar. Reduce over medium heat until 1 tablespoon liquid remains.
• In a heat-resistant mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks, water, salt, and shallot mixture. Whip over hot, but not boiling, water until thick and creamy. Slowly whisk in the butter, a few drops at a time, until the sauce begins to emulsify. In a slow stream, whisk in the remaining butter until it is completely incorporated. Whisk in the tarragon. Correct seasoning to taste. Keep warm until needed.
• Yield: 1 1/2 cups
• Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck, Modern French Cooking for the American Kitchen: Houghton Mifflin, 1981

MOULES MARINIERE

Steps:

• In a large deep saute pan or pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, garlic, and herb sprigs, and cook, stirring, until fragrant and the shallots are soft, about 1 minute. Add the wine, pepper, and salt and bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the mussels are opened, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and discard any mussels that have not opened. Transfer the mussels and their liquid to a large, deep serving bowl and garnish with the chopped parsley. Serve immediately with the French bread croutons for dipping.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place the bread slices on a large baking sheet and brush 1 side of each slice first with the cut garlic cloves and then with the olive oil, and then lightly season with the salt and pepper. Bake until light golden brown, about 8 minutes.
• Cool slightly on the baking sheet before handling or serving.

PATTI'S MUSSELS A LA MARINIERE

Steps:

• Place mussels in a large bowl with cold water to cover. Let them soak for about 20 minutes to remove any dirt or sand.
• Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-low heat. Add garlic, and saute for one minute, but do not brown. Add the chopped green onion and tomatoes, and cook until almost tender. Pour in the white wine, and stir in the parsley and butter. Bring to a boil, and allow to boil until the liquid has reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the mussels to the pot, cover and allow to cook until the shells are opened, about 10 minutes. Transfer the mussels and sauce to a large serving bowl, discarding any unopened shells. Bon appetit!

MUSSELS SAILOR STYLE (MOULES MARINIERE)

Steps:

• Place mussels in bowl and cover with cold water.
• Discard any that are open or cracked.
• Scrub under cold running water and remove beards.
• Melt butter in a large pot, stir in shallots and garlic and saute gently until soft.
• Add wine and bouquet garni.
• Bring to a boil for 2 minutes.
• Add a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste.
• Add mussels and cover pot.
• Cook over high heat until mussels open.
• Remove mussels from pot with a slotted spoon, set aside (keep warm).
• Discard any mussels that did not open.
• Boil the remaining liquid (with bouquet garni) until reduced to half, then return mussels to the pan and heat through.
• Sprinkle with parsley and stir.
• Place mussels into a warmed serving dish and pour liquid over top.
• Serve.