Look at my Mussels
To start the new year I though I would try something new. I had never eaten mussels and certainly never attempted to cook mussels-perfect choice, then. Turns out the most difficult part of this recipe is cleaning the mussels. It took Kelly and I about 15 min to clean all 3 lbs. To clean mussels, scrub shells clean with a brush and “de-beard” by pulling any hairs from along the opening. Mussels should be tightly closed before cooking-discard any open ones that do not close to your touch. Once cooked, discard any mussels that do not open.
Now of course this dish does not fulfill any of my New Year’s Resolutions, namely to eat lower calorie meals and/or stick to a grocery budget. But, what the hell, we’ll start that tomorrow right?
Mussels in Wine and Cream Sauce
serves 3-4, prep 15 min, cook time 20 min- ¼ cup butter
- 2 shallots, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1½ cup white wine
- ½ cup cream
- 3 lb fresh black mussels, cleaned
- fresh parsley, for garnish
- fresh tomato, diced, for garnish (optional)
- Melt butter over medium in a large sauce pan with a lid.
- Saute shallots and garlic in butter for about 3 minutes or until soft.
- Add wine and cream and bring to a boil.
- Boil to reduce liquid until thick, approximately 10 min.
- Taste sauce and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- With sauce boiling add mussels, cover and cook 5 additional minutes.
- Once mussels are fully cooked and open divide among bowls and ladle cream sauce over.
- Sprinkle with parsley and diced tomatoes if desired.
- Serve with pasta or crusty bread or garlic Parmesan fries.
This makes a lot of delicious sauce so next time I probably would make some pasta to accompany it. The garlic parmesan fries were stolen from Reyrena, although I deep fried mine cause I am crazy like that.
January 2nd, 2009 at 8:57 am
Even though I’m a vegetarian & don’t eat mussels, the title of your post cracked me up! Beautiful photo and thanks for making me smile. 🙂
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:27 am
Always one of my favorite dishes! Especially with crusty bread to soak up the sauce!
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Awesome recipe and very nice photos. Those french fries look scrumptious.
Happy New Year!
Nick
http://www.macheesmo.com
January 2nd, 2009 at 8:10 pm
sweet jesus your muscles look delicious! great photos. 🙂
January 4th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Wowza look at ’em mussels! Love that you pair them with fries – I dip my fries in the sauce!
January 4th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Your mussels look delicious…I have to try these. I usually make mine in a clear broth with parley and tomatoes and garlic. This looks luscious! Thanks for sharing.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Wow, this looks delicious. I’ve never eaten/cooked mussels before either, but the husband detests seafood so I’ve never ventured. Maybe I’ll do it for lunch one day. Who doesn’t need white wine cream sauce at noon on a Tuesday?
January 5th, 2009 at 9:48 am
oh my gosh, this looks like a French bistro! I love mussels and rarely cook them at home. My favorite part is dipping bread in all of that delicious sauce.
Those fries look amazing, too. Do you own a deep fryer or do you use a pot?
They look heavenly.
I like to use a pot for most things because my deep fryer has trouble being at the temperature it says it will be. Alas though, for fries, I do use it because I double fry them and the basket means no stray burning fries. -Katie
January 5th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
oooo..This looks wonderful! 🙂
January 6th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Total freaking yum, the mussels and the fries. And I loved this post – you’re very funny. 😛
January 6th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Congratulations on your first time making mussels! Are you hooked? I find they are one of the easiest and most versatile things to cook. Just as long as there is no sand 😉
If you are ever in Philadelphia, check out my favorite place for mussels: Monk’s.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Sweet Jebus, woman. You’re killing me with these photos! I love mussels.
In fact when I was on holiday I went to a favorite restaurant and ate two orders (about 75 mussels) on my own.
I told everyone I felt big and strong afterward.
They groaned.
May 4th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Just made these delicious little morsels and they were fantastic! It was my first time doing so and I swear they were better than any I’ve ever had. Thank you for the recipe!!!!!!
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