Mussels Remoulade Food

OVEN-STEAMED MUSSELS WITH GARLIC AND WHITE WINE

Steps:

• Set an oven rack in the lowest position and preheat the oven to 500°F.
• Set a large roasting pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds. Do not brown. Add the wine, thyme, and bay leaves and boil until slightly reduced, about 1 minute.
• Stir in the salt and mussels. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil (remember the edges of the pan will be hot) and transfer to the oven. Roast until the majority of the mussels have opened, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven, and place a dishtowel over the handle to remind yourself that it's hot. Discard any unopened mussels. Using a wooden spoon, push the mussels to the edges of the pan. Add the butter to the center and stir until melted. Discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaves and stir in the parsley. Spoon the mussels and wine broth into bowls and serve with bread.
• Note: When a recipe calls for dry white wine, the best options are Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or unoaked Chardonnay. Select a bottle that is inexpensive but still good enough to drink.
• Note: Most markets sell farm-raised mussels, which are easy to clean - in fact, they are usually already scrubbed and debearded. However, it's still a good idea to clean them prior to cooking. Simply put them in a colander and run them under cold running water, using your hands or a scrubbing brush to remove any sand or debris. If beards (the little tuft of fibers the mussel uses to connect to rocks or pilings) are present, cut or scrape them off with a paring knife, or use your fingers to pull them sharply down toward the hinged point of the shells. The mussels should be tightly closed. If you see a mussel that is open, tap it gently against the counter; in a live mussel, this will trigger a reaction to close its shell. If the mussel doesn't slowly close, it has died and should be discarded. Discard any mussels with cracked shells as well.

MUSSELS IN CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add leek; sauté 3 minutes. Add mussels and wine. Cover and simmer until mussels open, about 4 minutes (discard any that do not open). Using slotted spoon, transfer mussels to 2 bowls.
• Stir cream and 2 tablespoons parsley into liquid in pot. Simmer uncovered 3 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over mussels. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons parsley.

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.

REMOULADE SAUCE

Steps:

• Place egg, yolks, salt, sugar, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the plastic blade. Process until well blended.
• With the machine running, add olive oil, dribbling slowly. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice, then dribble in vegetable oil. Taste for seasonings, adding more lemon juice, salt, or pepper if needed.
• Stir in capers, mustard, herbs, and shallots and serve immediately. (The sauce can also be made ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.)

MUSSELS REMOULADE

Steps:

• Discard any mussels with broken shells. Soak mussels in cold water for 15 minutes. Scrub shells with a stiff brush and remove "beard" by giving it a firm tug. Rinse well and refrigerate until needed.
• Combine wine, water, lemon juice, shallots, peppercorns, salt, and bouquet garni in a large stockpot with a tight-fitting lid. Bring to a boil; then simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
• Add mussels and cover. Increase heat to medium and cook, shaking occasionally, until the mussels open, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Remove mussels from broth and cool both separately. Discard any shells that haven't opened, as well as the half shell to which mussel isn't attached. When cool, put mussels back into broth, cover, and chill until ready to serve. This can be done 1 to 2 days before serving.
• Roast pepper over gas flame or under broiler until blackened. Place in a paper bag to cool. Peel and seed pepper; cut in 1/2-inch-wide strips, then into diamonds.
• Cut mussels from shells with a paring knife. Pour a little Remoulade Sauce in each shell and garnish with chopped parsley and a red-pepper diamond. Pass on a tray with toothpicks or wooden forks.