Moule Frites Mussels With Chips Food

MOULES FRITES - FRENCH/BELGIAN BISTRO STYLE MUSSELS AND CHIPS

Steps:

• Frites/Chips:.
• Slice the potato into thin strips (2mm x 2mm) and rinse in salted water. Heat a deep fat fryer to 325°F/160°C (preferably using sunflower or groundnut oil). Place the frites/chips in and cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
• Moules/Mussels:.
• Tip the mussels into a large bowl of cold water, rinse and then drain well and pull away any 'beards'. (Fresh mussels look black and shiny and should only smell pleasantly of the deep sea - the vast majority should be tightly closed. Avoid any that smell 'fishy', look dry or are mostly open.).
• Place the chopped onion, shallot and garlic in a saucepan with the olive oil, gently sweat them over a low to medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until slightly soft.
• Add the chopped herbs, and pernod or pastis if using and mix with the onion mixture.
• Add the washed mussels to the pan and cover with dry white wine, bring slowly to the boil, then simmer gently whilst stirring. Continue until the mussels have opened - discard any that do not open, this can take between 2 to 5 minutes.
• Add the creme fraiche if using, mixing through the cooked and opened mussles. Cover until the frites/chips are cooked.
• Whilst the moules are cooking, turn up the deep fryer to 375°F/190°C and salt the frites/chips. Add the frites/chips back to the oil for around 1 minute until golden and crispy.
• Serve the moules in a deep bowl with the frites/chips on the side - providinf plenty of napkins and a large bowl for the shells.
• Note - to make the best frites/chips your uncooked frites/chips should be washed in cold water and dried thoroughly before cooking.

CLASSIC MOULES FRITES

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or straight-sided 12-inch saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the white wine and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the mussels, cover and steam until open, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the mussels to a large serving bowl.
• Add the creme fraiche, parsley, butter, chives and mustard to the remaining cooking liquid and bring just to a boil while stirring to combine. Pour the sauce over the mussels. Serve with French fries.

MOULES FRITES

Steps:

• Tip the mussels into a large bowl of cold water. Discard any that remain open when tapped, then drain well and pull away any 'beards'. (Fresh mussels look black and shiny and should only smell pleasantly of the deep sea - the vast majority should be tightly closed. Avoid any that smell 'fishy', look dry or are mostly open.)
• Thinly slice the vegetables and garlic. Roll the chilli in your hands to loosen the seeds, then slit in half and shake out the seeds. Slice the flesh into thin sticks, then stack together and finely chop. Pick over the thyme sprigs, discarding the thick stalks, and pick the parsley leaves from the stalks. Prepare the chips (see recipe, below right).
• Place a large, heavy-based sauté pan (with a lid) on the hob and heat until you can feel a strong heat rising. Pour in the oil, then immediately toss in all of the vegetables, chilli and thyme. The thyme sprigs will crackle if the pan is hot enough. Cook for about 1½ mins, shaking the pan and stirring the vegetables until they start to wilt.
• With the heat still on high, toss in all the mussels and shake the pan so they form an even layer. Cover with a lid and cook for another 1-2 mins, shaking the pan once or twice.
• Uncover the pan and pour in the wine and Pernod. Shake and cook for another 1½ mins so the wine reduces by half, then cover again and cook for another min. Place a large colander over a bowl and tip the mussels and vegetables into the centre. Discard any mussels that remain closed. Fry the chips.
• Pour the strained liquid back in the pan, reheat and stir in the crème fraîche and whole parsley leaves. Check the seasoning; you may not need any salt. Return the mussels and vegetables to the pan and reheat, shaking the pan, then divide between two large soup bowls. Serve the chips and mayonnaise (recipe below) alongside.
• TIP: Make the mayo and prepare the chips before you start the mussels. Fry the chips after you have cooked the mussels and while they are still draining in the colander, then finish the sauce.

BROTHY MUSSELS WITH OVEN FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees, with a rimmed baking sheet on center rack. In a pot, cover potatoes with 2 inches of water; season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain; let stand until dry, 10 minutes. Toss with 3 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Carefully transfer, cut-side down, to baking sheet and roast, flipping once, until crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Season with salt.
• Meanwhile, return pot to medium-high heat; swirl in 1 tablespoon butter and remaining oil. Add garlic; cook until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and wine; season with salt and pepper. Simmer until reduced slightly, 3 minutes. Stir in mussels, cover, and cook until all have opened (discard any that haven't), 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer mussels to a bowl with a slotted spoon; stir remaining butter into broth. Pour sauce over mussels and sprinkle with parsley. Serve with oven fries and mayonnaise.

MOULE FRITES (MUSSELS WITH CHIPS)

Steps:

• For Mussels - Check the mussels to make sure there are no bad ones (ones which smell 'fishy' or that remain open when tapped). Also remove any beards from the mussels at this point.
• Finely chop the shallot & garlic, thinly slice the spring onions and deseed the red chilli(es) and finely chop.
• Pick the thyme sprigs and parsley leaves, discarding the thick stalks.
• Heat some oil in a large sauté pan and cook for 2 minutes the vegetables, chilli and thyme until they start to wilt.
• While the pan is still very hot, add the mussels and give them a good shake. Cover and cook for another 1-2 minutes shaking each minute.
• Now add in the wine and Pernod (if used). Shake and cook for another 1½ mins so the wine reduces by half, then cover again and cook for another minute.
• Pour the entire pan (mussels & veg) through a colander catching all the juice in a pan.
• Pour the strained liquid back in the pan, reheat and stir in the crème fraîche and whole parsley leaves for 1 or 2 minutes.
• Return the mussels and vegetables to the pan and reheat, shaking the pan, then divide between two large soup bowls. Serve with the chips (see below).
• For Chip - Wash and peel the potatoes and slice into thin square chunky chips. Scatter these chips onto a baking tray, and sprinkle over the rosemary and the herb de provence.
• Drizzle some oil over the chips, give them a shake to cover and place into a hot over around 200 degrees. I usually cook for around 30 - 40 minutes but this will depend on your oven and how thickly you cut the chips. You may want to give them a quick shake half way through to make sure they don't stick, or grease the baking tray before hand.
• Serve the two together with some nice french baguette! Hope you enjoy the recipe!