Best Moules á Lescargot Oven Baked Mussels Recipes

MOULES á L'ESCARGOT ( OVEN BAKED MUSSELS)

Steps:

• The secret: We are going to cut the mussels open raw , this is what makes the taste of this recipe. it will take a few mussels to take the hang of it but you'll manage just fine i'm sure.
• Use a sharp potato knife , take the mussel between your thumb and index and nudge it open a bit with a sliding movement ( should need some force) slip the knife in between and scrape the side of the mussel until the big tendon is cut (cut one open any way you want so you can see where the big tendon is located it's in the same place for each mussel), now you can open the mussel a bit and use the knife to make sure the meat is all on 1 side . tear off the empty side of the mussel and place the full side on a big oven dish (the metal thing in your oven) , if you can't get the mussels to stay horizontal , you can use a bit of flour and water to make a dough and put a small ball of this under each mussel , to keep it level , but this isn't surgery so about level without the dough is more than ok.
• While you do the mussels , your other half can make the herb butter . Make sure your butter is about room temperature , mix in the parsley , the garlic and the shallots. also add a pinch of salt and some pepper here. (although salt can be omitted since the mussels contain some seawater still , but i use a bit of salt). Stir the whole mixture up , and let it cool in the fridge a bit so the butter is a bit harder and easier to use later on. now go help your partner cut open the mussels :).
• Preheat your oven at 400°F.
• When all the mussels are open and face up on the tray put about half a teaspoon of your herb butter on each mussel . Gently put the tray ion the oven . cooking should take only a few minutes (keep watching it ), they are done when they've all bubbled for a minute and the onions/shallots start getting some color (they should look golden brown at a glance ).
• Take the whole tray out and place on a fireproof holder in the middle of the table , let people pick them up one by one as they eat . Don't forget to use a piece of baguette to dip in the juice thats in each muscle , that's the best part :).
• Have a nice meal, and don't forget to comment.

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.

MOULES FARCIES GRATINEES - FRENCH MUSSELS W/GREEN GARLIC BUTTER

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine 4 cups water with 3 tablespoons salt and stir to dissolve the salt. Add the mussels and let stand for about 1 hour to rid the mussels of any bits of sand, then drain well. Place the mussels in a clean bowl and refrigerate, uncovered, for up to 1 day.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Arrange the mussels in a single layer in a shallow baking pan, discarding any that do not close to the touch, and add the shallots and wine. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake just until the shells open, about 10 minutes. Remove the mussels from the oven and let cool in the pan. Remove the mussels from the wine, discarding any that failed to open, and discard the wine (or strain through a fine-mesh sieve and reserve for adding to a fish soup or stew). Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Meanwhile, in a food processor, process the bread pieces until they form coarse crumbs. Measure out 1 cup and set aside; reserve the remainder for another use.
• Make the green garlic butter, if using. (see recipe #299317,optional).
• Working with one mussel at a time, pull off and discard the top shell and run a small, sharp knife around the mussel meat to free it from the bottom shell. Lay the mussels, still in their bottom shells, in a single layer in the baking pan. Spoon an equal amount of the green garlic butter (recipe #299317, optional) onto each mussel and sprinkle the crumbs generously on top.
• Return the mussels to the oven and bake until the tops are sizzling, the butter is melted and fragrant, and the crumbs are crisp, about 8-10 minutes.
• Transfer to a platter and serve at once, with the lemon wedges on the side.
• Good with a crisp, chilled white wine such as Muscadet or Sancerre!
• Note: Makes six servings as an appetizer, or about three main dish servings.

MUSSELS SAILOR STYLE (MOULES MARINIERE)

Steps:

• Place mussels in bowl and cover with cold water.
• Discard any that are open or cracked.
• Scrub under cold running water and remove beards.
• Melt butter in a large pot, stir in shallots and garlic and saute gently until soft.
• Add wine and bouquet garni.
• Bring to a boil for 2 minutes.
• Add a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste.
• Add mussels and cover pot.
• Cook over high heat until mussels open.
• Remove mussels from pot with a slotted spoon, set aside (keep warm).
• Discard any mussels that did not open.
• Boil the remaining liquid (with bouquet garni) until reduced to half, then return mussels to the pan and heat through.
• Sprinkle with parsley and stir.
• Place mussels into a warmed serving dish and pour liquid over top.
• Serve.

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).

BROILED GARLIC MUSSELS (MOULES GRATIEES )

Steps:

• Scrub the mussel under cold running water. Remove beards and discard any opened ones. Put in a pan with the wine, cover and steam for 5-8 minutes.
• Strain and reserve the cooking liquid. Discard any that aren't open. Remove the top half of each mussel shell and discard.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet, saute shallots until soft, add the garlic and cook an additional 1-2 minutes. Add bread crumbs and saute until lightly browned, remove from heat and stir in the herbs. Moisten with some of the reserved liquid. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the crumb mixture over the mussels ( in their half shells) and arrange on baking sheet. Top with shredded Parmesan. Broil in batches, for 1-2 minutes until the topping is crisp and golden. Keep the first batch warm while you finish the rest.
• Garnish with basil leaves and serve.