Best Belgian Mussels Recipes

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.

MOULES MARINIERES - BELGIAN MUSSELS

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a casserole pot.
• Add onions, celery, and saute for a few minutes.
• Add the wine a bring to the boil.
• Add the mussels and place lid on pot give a good shake to mix.
• Cook until mussels have opened shaking even now and again.
• Add 1 tablespoon of butter, cream and the parsley and stir.
• Serve with crusty bread or as in Belgium with frites.

BELGIAN MUSSELS

Steps:

• Wash the mussels thoroughly and remove all the ones that are open.
• Melt the butter in a large pot and add the vegetables, some pepper and salt. Cook until the veggies have softened a bit.
• Add the mussels and put a lid on the pot. Cook for 5 minutes and shake the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes. The mussels should be done bu now.
• Serve with homemade Belgian fries and a salad! Enjoy!

BELGIAN MUSSELS

Steps:

• In a large (10-quart or larger) stock pot, combine mussels, shallots, garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, beer and vegetable stock. Cover, and place over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, and steam until mussels open, about 5 minutes.
• Remove mussels to serving plates or a large serving bowl. Add butter to pot, and stir. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over mussels and serve immediately.

BELGIAN MUSSELS

Steps:

• Clean and d-beard the mussels. discard any that don't open when tapped. Melt the butter in a large stockpot. Add the shallots, celery, leek and bay leaves and cook until softened (but not brown). Add the mussels, half the parsley, thyme and freshly ground black pepper, and stir well. Add the wine, bring to the boil, then cover the pan and steam the mussels for around five minutes, or for as long as it takes for the mussels to open and cook. Pour in the cream and stir well. (I find it easier to scoop the mussels out with a slotted spoon, then add the cream...) Discard any mussels that are not open. Serve in large bowls, sprinkled with remaining parsley. Don't forget to put out a bowl for empty shells!

MUSSELS (NOT FROM BRUSSELS, BUT BELGIAN ANYWAY)

Steps:

• To prepare the mussels, scrape off anything living or growing on the outside of the shells, and pull out the little bunch of dark hairs (the beard) coming out of the side of the shells. Soak them in cold water while doing so. The shells are usually closed when you buy them. Do not panic if they open under water! Any shells that do not close when you tap them, have to be thrown out. This part may be done a couple of hours ahead of time if the mussels are stored in a cool place. Set the cleaned mussels aside.
• In a large heavy-bottomed pot, combine the carrot, onion, celery, bay leaf, peppercorns, lemon slices and white wine. Bring to a boil over high heat, and add 1/3 of the cleaned mussels. Cover the pan, and cook shaking, every minute or so to help the mussels cook evenly. When all of the mussels are open, remove from the pan using a slotted spoon, and start enjoying your meal. Continue to cook remaining mussels in the same liquid.