Moules Provencal Food

MOULES PROVENCAL

Steps:

• Rinse and scrub the mussels under cold running water. Remove their beard (the small strands attached to the mussels) by pulling them down firmly between your fingers or with a pairing knife. Discard any cracked mussels.
• Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add scallions, fennel, and garlic. Cook about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Add vermouth, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape off any brown bits from the pan. Add thyme, parsley, mussels, and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cook, covered, until the mussels open, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and serve with crusty bread.

MUSSELS WITH TOMATOES, HERBS AND GARLIC (MOULES PROVENçALE)

Steps:

• To make the sauce, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the onions, celery, garlic, basil and bouquet garni, and cook over low heat for 5 minutes or until softened but not browned.
• Mix in the tomato paste and tomatoes, salt, pepper, and sugar, and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
• Put the mussels in a casserole dish with the wine, over high heat, and bring to a boil. Cook for a few minutes only, until the mussels have opened, stirring frequently to ensure they are evenly cooked.
• Pour off the cooking liquid, discard any mussels that have not opened, and return the opened mussels, in their shells, to the casserole dish.
• Pour the hot tomato sauce over the mussels and heat through. Sprinkle with chopped basil and serve at once.

MUSSELS PROVENCAL

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to boiling. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and mushrooms, and add the mussels. Season with basil, oregano, and tarragon. Cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir in olives and fresh tomatoes. Cover, and simmer 5 minutes.
• Serve mussels and sauce over pasta.

MUSSELS PROVENCALE

Steps:

• Wash mussels in several changes of cold water; using a sharp knife, remove beards.
• Soak mussels for about 30 minutes in cold water containing a handful of salt& a handful of flour.
• This will remove any sand inside the mussels.
• In heavy saucepan, heat oil; saute garlic, onion& celery until soft but not brown.
• Add tomatoes& simmer for about 10 minutes to evaporate the remaining liquid.
• Add remaining ingredients (except mussels), cover& simmer for 30 minutes.
• Just before serving, add mussels, cover& simmer for 3- 5 minutes to allow the mussels open.
• Discard any that don't.

AHOY THERE! MOULES MARINIèRES - FRENCH SAILOR'S MUSSELS

Steps:

• Place the live mussels in fresh water. Scrub and debeard the mussels (see the photos), discarding any that are open, broken or cracked.
• Fry the chopped onion and chopped garlic cloves (over medium heat) in a little butter (or oil) in the biggest saucepan you have. Add half of the finely chopped fresh herbs - I have used a mixture of parsley, oregano and tarragon. Season with black pepper, wait to season with salt to taste later.
• Add the white wine to the butter and herbs, and then tip in the freshly cleaned mussels - turn up the heat to high. Cover the pan and let the mussels steam for about 5 minutes. Shake the pan every minute or so to coat the mussels in the liquid.
• Take the pan off the heat and add the double cream or creme fraiche; then add of the remaining finely chopped herbs. Mix through thoroughly. That's it! Enjoy with crusty bread, frites and a chilled white wine -- divine!
• NB: Discard any mussels that don't open during cooking. (see photos).