James Martin Mussels Mariniere Food

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.

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

MUSSELS MARINIèRE

Steps:

• Clean the mussels by thoroughly scrubbing them under plenty of running water, pulling away and discarding the 'beards', the seaweed-like stringy threads. Discard any broken mussels, and any mussels that don't close tightly when you tap them.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy pan with a tight-fitting lid. Add the shallot and garlic and cook over a medium heat until softened, but not coloured.
• Add the wine and turn up to a high heat. As the wine starts to boil, add the cleaned mussels and thyme to the pan. Turn the heat down to low.
• Put the lid on the pan and allow the mussels to steam. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, lifting the lid from time to time to check - you will know they are cooked when the shells have opened. Discard any mussels that remain closed.
• Add the double cream and cook for a further minute.
• Scatter with the chopped parsley and serve in deep bowls.