Mussels With Leeks And White Wine Recipes

MUSSELS WITH LEEKS AND WHITE WINE

Steps:

• Scrub the mussels really well and remove their stringy beards. Chuck out any mussels that are damaged in any way or that are open and don't close when tapped on the side of the sink.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan or saute pan - you need something with a lid - over a low heat. Very gently fry the leeks and garlic for 5 minutes until softened but not coloured, stirring occasionally. There's no need to cover the pan. Add a little water to the pan if the leeks start to stick before they are softened.
• Pour over the white wine and stir in the creme fraiche and parsley. Add the mussels, cover the pan with a lid and cook for 3-4 minutes or until all the mussels have steamed open, stirring once. Give the pan a good shake now and again. Mix the cornflour and water together to make a thin paste.
• Remove the pan from the heat and tip the mussels and their liquor into a colander over a large bowl. Throw away any that haven't opened, then divide the mussels between two warmed wide bowls.
• Tip the mussel liquor back into the pan and stir in the cornflour paste. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute, stirring until thickened. Add a bit more salt and pepper to taste and pour the sauce back over the mussels in the bowls.
• Serve each bowl of mussels with a thick slice of crusty bread for mopping up the sauce. Heaven!

STEAMED MUSSELS WITH LEEKS, GARLIC, THYME, WHITE WINE, AND BUTTER

Steps:

• Rinse the mussels under cold running water while scrubbing with a vegetable brush. Remove the stringy mussel beards with your thumb and index finger as you wash them. Discard any mussels with broken shells.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks, garlic, and thyme and cook until the vegetables cook down to a pulp, about 5 minutes. Add the mussels and give everything a good toss. Add the white wine. Cover and steam over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, until the mussels open. Stir occasionally so that all the mussels are in contact with the heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and a drizzle of olive oil to the sauce remaining in the pot and swirl to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve immediately.

MUSSELS WITH LEEKS, SAFFRON AND CREAM

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large deep skillet over medium-low heat. Add leeks and sauté until tender, about 8 minutes.
• Combine mussels, wine and parsley sprigs in large Dutch oven. Cover and cook over high heat until mussels open, about 6 minutes. Using tongs, transfer mussels to large bowl, discarding any that do not open. Strain mussel juices into skillet containing leeks. Add saffron and cream to skillet; boil until reduced to sauce consistency, about 2 minutes. Stir in minced parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Add mussels and any accumulated juices to skillet. Stir over medium heat until heated through, about 2 minutes. divide mussels among 4 bowls; pour sauce over.

STEAMED MUSSELS WITH LEEKS, THYME & BACON

Steps:

• Scrub and de-beard the mussels. Heat half the butter in a pan, then sizzle the bacon for 3-4 mins until starting to brown. Add the leeks and thyme, then sweat everything together for 4-5 mins until soft. Turn the heat up high, add the mussels and cider or wine, then cover and cook for 4-5 mins, shaking the pan occasionally, until the mussels have opened. Discard any that don't open. Scoop the mussels and the other bits into a dish, then place the pan back on the heat. Boil the juices for 1 min with the rest of the butter, then pour over the mussels and serve with crusty bread.

MUSSELS WITH LEEKS & SAFFRON

Steps:

• Wash the mussels in a sink of cold water, removing any little beards and scrubbing any barnacles. Tap each one on the side of the sink - if the mussel doesn't close tightly, discard it (also discard any with broken shells). Put the mussels in a colander (in batches) and rinse really well under cold running water.
• Heat the oil in a large pan (or two pans if you don't have one big enough to fit all the mussels). Sauté the leeks for 8-10 mins until softening, then add the garlic and cook for another few mins. Add the bouquet garni, pour over the sherry and wine, sprinkle over the saffron and bring to just under the boil. Stir to help the saffron flavour the wine.
• Turn the heat down to medium-low, then add the mussels and stir. Cover the pan and allow the mussels to cook until they open (this will take about 4 mins), shaking the pan a few times. Remove the bouquet garni. Add the cream, stir and heat through. Taste for seasoning (mussels are always pretty salty, so you shouldn't need to add anything). Scatter over the parsley, then transfer the mussels to a large, warm serving dish or serve them straight from the pan.

MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Rinse and scrub mussels under cold water.
• Using your fingers or paring knife, remove beards (strings that hang from the mussel shells), and discard.
• In a large stockpot set over medium heat, combine wine, shallots, garlic, and salt.
• Simmer 5 minutes.
• Add mussels, cover, and increase heat to high.
• Cook until all mussels are open, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in herbs and butter.
• Remove from heat.
• Divide mussels and broth among four bowls.
• Serve immediately.

MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE AND CRèME FRAîCHE

Steps:

• In a wide skillet with a lid, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and shallot, and stir until very soft and beginning to turn gold, about 5 minutes; do not let them brown. Add thyme and bay leaf and stir. Add wine and 1 cup water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add mussels, cover, and cook until open, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer mussels to serving bowls with a slotted spoon and boil liquid in the pan until reduced to a sauce. Turn off heat and whisk in crème fraîche and salt and pepper to taste. Pour over mussels and serve with crusty bread.