Mussels With Guinness Butter Food

CLASSIC FRENCH MUSSELS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the mussels, wine, cream, butter, and parsley and season well with salt. Give it a good stir, cover the pot, and cook until mussels open and are cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes. Divide the mussels and the juices between 2 bowls and serve with the crusty bread.

MUSSELS IN GARLIC BUTTER

Steps:

• Cream the butter with the garlic and parsley in a bowl and set aside.
• Place the mussels in a saucepan with the remaining ingredients, bring to boil and simmer for 3 minutes or until the mussels open.
• Detach the lid from the base and place the mussels still sitting in their shells on a baking sheet.
• Dot generously with the garlic butter and grill until the butter has melted.
• Serve the mussles on their own or in the wine broth.

MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE

Steps:

• To clean the mussels, put them in a large bowl with 2 quarts of water and the flour and soak for 30 minutes, or until the mussels disgorge any sand. Drain the mussels, then remove the "beard" from each with your fingers. If they're dirty, scrub the mussels with a brush under running water. Discard any mussels whose shells aren't tightly shut.
• In a large non-aluminum stockpot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 5 minutes; then add the garlic and cook for 3 more minutes, or until the shallots are translucent. Add the tomatoes, saffron, parsley, thyme, wine, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
• Add the mussels, stir well, then cover the pot, and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until all the mussels are opened (discard any that do not open). With the lid on, shake the pot once or twice to be sure the mussels don't burn on the bottom. Pour the mussels and the sauce into a large bowl and serve hot.

MUSSELS IN GUINNESS & GARLIC

Steps:

• Put a stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. When the pot is hot, add the mussels and remaining ingredients (except the parsley, lemon wedges, and bread) Cook, stirring once or twice, for 6 to 8 minutes, or until mussels open. Discard any that do NOT open.
• To serve, divide the mussels among shallow bowls and ladle the broth over them.Sprinkle with the fresh parsley, and serve with a lemon wedge and slices of bread to sop up the juices.