PERNOD-MARINATED NEW ZEALAND MUSSELS WITH CHERVIL OIL

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Pernod-Marinated New Zealand Mussels with Chervil Oil image

Categories     Garlic     Herb     Shellfish     Appetizer     Steam     Cocktail Party     Mussel     Pernod     Fall     Parsley     Gourmet

Yield Makes about 60 hors d'oeuvres

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup water
6 pounds mussels (preferably New Zealand green)
3 tablespoons Pernod or other anise-flavored liqueur
1/2 cup packed fresh chervil sprigs
1/4 cup packed fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt
Garnish: about 60 small fresh chervil sprigs

Steps:

  • Mince 1 garlic clove and in a large skillet cook in 2 tablespoons oil over moderate heat, stirring, until golden. Add water and half of mussels and steam mussels, covered, stirring once or twice, 2 to 5 minutes, transferring them as they open with a slotted spoon to a large bowl. (Discard any mussels that are unopened after 5 minutes.) In liquid remaining in skillet steam remaining mussels in same manner and transfer to bowl.
  • Pour liquid remaining in skillet through a fine sieve into a small bowl and stir in liqueur to make marinade. When mussels are cool enough to handle, remove from shells. Clean and reserve 1 half shell from each mussel. Add mussels to marinade, tossing to coat, and season with salt. Marinate mussels, covered with plastic wrap and chilled, at least 3 hours and up to 1 day. Chill reserved shells in a sealable plastic bag. Thinly slice remaining garlic clove and in a small saucepan cook in remaining 1/2 cup oil over moderate heat, stirring, until golden. Discard garlic with slotted spoon and in a blender blend oil, chervil, parsley, and salt until herbs are finely chopped. Chervil oil may be made 1 week ahead and chilled in an airtight container. Bring oil to room temperature before using.
  • Arrange reserved mussel shells on plates and spoon about ‚ teaspoon chervil oil into each shell. Add mussels and garnish with chervil.

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