Mussels Provençal Recipes

MUSSELS PROVENCALE

Steps:

• Wash mussels in several changes of cold water; using a sharp knife, remove beards.
• Soak mussels for about 30 minutes in cold water containing a handful of salt& a handful of flour.
• This will remove any sand inside the mussels.
• In heavy saucepan, heat oil; saute garlic, onion& celery until soft but not brown.
• Add tomatoes& simmer for about 10 minutes to evaporate the remaining liquid.
• Add remaining ingredients (except mussels), cover& simmer for 30 minutes.
• Just before serving, add mussels, cover& simmer for 3- 5 minutes to allow the mussels open.
• Discard any that don't.

STEAMED MUSSELS PROVENCAL

Steps:

• Broth: In a medium sauce pan, slowly roast 3 cups of shrimp heads and shells in a small amount of oil until crisp and fragrant. Add all ingredients except water. Reduce by 1/4 and add water to cover the shells by 1-inch. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes. Strain, chill, and reserve.
• Rouille: Combine the first 5 ingredients in a bowl of a food processor and process until foamy, slowly drizzle in the oil until thick, season. You want this thick enough to dollop.
• Mussels: Place the carrots, fennel and leeks in a medium sauce pan with the saffron broth and the mussels. Cover and steam for 2 minutes or until the mussels have opened (discard any unopened mussels.) Remove mussels and divide among 4 service bowls. Add the tomatoes to the vegetables along with the herbs. Reduce for 4 minutes. Mount in the butter and season. Top each bowl of mussels with vegetables and broth. Mound with a generous dollop of rouille and serve with grilled bread.

MUSSELS PROVENçAL

Steps:

• Rinse the mussels under cold water. Soak in ice cold water for approximately 30 minutes to purge before cooking. Discard any with broken shells or those which do not close on their own.
• Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the oil and pancetta to the pan and cook until the pancetta starts to brown. Add in the onions and cook until translucent. Add in the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 to 60 seconds before adding in the tomatoes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the white wine and bring everything to a boil. Add the mussels and cook until they begin to open. Add in the parsley and lemon juice. Season with salt and mix well.
• Place the mussels in a shallow bowl with a spoon. Discard any mussels that do not open. Pour the remaining sauce over the mussels. Serve with toasted baguette and/or frites for a true Belgian experience.

MUSSELS WITH TOMATOES, HERBS AND GARLIC (MOULES PROVENçALE)

Steps:

• To make the sauce, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onions, celery, garlic, basil and bouquet garni, and cook over low heat for 5 minutes or until softened but not browned.
• Mix in the tomato paste and tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar, and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
• Put the mussels in a casserole dish with the wine, over high heat, and bring to a boil. Cook for a few minutes only, until the mussels have opened, stirring frequently to ensure they are evenly cooked.
• Pour off the cooking liquid, discard any mussels that have not opened, and return the opened mussels, in their shells, to the casserole dish.
• Pour the hot tomato sauce over the mussels and heat through. Sprinkle with chopped basil and serve at once.