French Sailor's Mussels in White Wine Broth

Embark on a culinary journey with these exquisite French sailor's mussels simmered in a fragrant white wine broth, enriched with a touch of cream and fresh herbs. Savor the delicate balance of flavors as you indulge in this elegant seafood dish.

Ingredients

For the mussels
2 1⁄4	lbs fresh live mussels
2	chopped garlic cloves
1	finely chopped onion
5	fluid ounces dry white wine
2	ounces butter
	fresh herb mixture of parsley, oregano, and tarragon
4	tablespoons cream or creme fraiche
	salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• For preparing the mussels

  1. Immerse the fresh live mussels in a bowl of fresh water. Proceed to scrub and debeard the mussels, ensuring to discard any that are open, broken, or cracked.

• For cooking the mussels

  1. In the largest saucepan available, sauté the chopped onion and garlic cloves in butter or oil over medium heat. Incorporate half of the finely chopped mixture of parsley, oregano, and tarragon. Season with black pepper and reserve salt for later adjustment.
  2. Pour the white wine into the pan with the butter and herbs. Introduce the cleaned mussels and increase the heat. Cover the pan and allow the mussels to steam for approximately 5 minutes. Shake the pan intermittently to coat the mussels evenly.
  3. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the double cream or creme fraiche. Add the remaining finely chopped herbs and mix thoroughly. Your dish is now ready to be savored! Pair with crusty bread, frites, and a chilled white wine for a divine experience.
  4. Note: Discard any mussels that do not open during the cooking process.

Aug 14, 2024