Moules Portuguese Food

MOULES MARINIèRE WITH CREAM, GARLIC AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Wash the mussels under plenty of cold, running water. Discard any open ones that won't close when lightly squeezed.
• Pull out the tough, fibrous beards protruding from between the tightly closed shells and then knock off any barnacles with a large knife. Give the mussels another quick rinse to remove any little pieces of shell.
• Soften the garlic and shallots in the butter with the bouquet garni, in a large pan big enough to take all the mussels - it should only be half full.
• Add the mussels and wine or cider, turn up the heat, then cover and steam them open in their own juices for 3-4 minutes. Give the pan a good shake every now and then.
• Remove the bouquet garni, add the cream and chopped parsley and remove from the heat.
• Spoon into four large warmed bowls and serve with lots of crusty bread.

THE BEST MOULES MARINIèRES (SAILOR-STYLE MUSSELS) RECIPE

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add leeks, shallot, garlic, and bay leaves. Season lightly with salt and heavily with black pepper and cook, stirring, until vegetables are very soft but not browned, about 10 minutes.
• Increase heat to high and add cider or wine. Bring to a boil and let reduce by half, about 2 minutes. Add mussels, stir, cover, and cook, shaking pan constantly and peeking every 30 seconds to stir. As soon as all the mussels are open, transfer mussels to a bowl using tongs. Place pan lid over bowl to keep mussels warm.
• Remove from heat and whisk in remaining butter along with mayonnaise or crème fraîche (if using). Return mussels to pot, add parsley, lemon juice, and lemon zest, stir to combine, then transfer to a warm serving bowl. Serve immediately with additional mayonnaise (if using) and broiled bread.

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 PORTUGUESE

Steps:

• Heat 4 tablespoons of the olive oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and garlic, cover the pan and leave to sweat for 2 minutes.
• Stir in the paprika and continue to cook, covered, for 5 minutes.
• Add the sliced chorizo and the chili cooking for a further 5 minutes.
• Pour in the tomato sauce and simmer without the lid, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until thickened.
• While the sauce is cooking, heat the remaining oil in a heavy-based pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the mussels and white wine. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for about 5 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally, until the mussels open. (Discard any that do not open.)
• Pour the tomato sauce over the mussels, add the fresh tomato, potatoes and a twist of black pepper. Reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes to heat through.
• Add the basil and pour into a bowl. Serve immediately.

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.

AZOREAN (PORTUGUESE)

Steps:

• In a pasta/stock pot place frozen block of shrimp along with water.
• ***If you are using fresh shrimp be sure to rinse and clean the shrimp before cooking making sure that the shell is still intact.
• Cover shrimp with water and follow remaining instructions for cooking.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• On high heat, place a lid on the top of the pot.
• Allow for block of ice/shrimp to thaw completely.
• Once the shrimp are loose, stir to mix all ingredients well.
• Place heat at a low temperature as to simmer the shrimp for 2 hours.
• This ensures that all the flavors blend well otherwise you may eat them immediately.
• If there are leftovers be sure to refrigerate.
• You can eat them cold or warm them back up in original broth for the next day.
• Enjoy.