20 mins
Mussels in White Wine (Moules Marinière)
Recipe by Graham
Moules Marinière (Moules = Mussels and Marinière being any shellfish cooked in white wine with onions and herbs) is the classic French mussel dish that I've never tired of cooking (and eating)! Just add a small plate of French Fries with mayonnaise and it's like a little corner of paradise!
Graham's Mediterranean Mussels 
Mussels with Herb Butter (Moules Niçoises) Ingredients for Mussels in White Wine (Moules Marinière)
Currently displaying quantities in US Imperial Measurements
How to Cook Mussels in White Wine (Moules Marinière)
- Prepare the mussels, peel and quarter the onion and finely chop the celery. Place the wine, onion, butter, celery, bouqet garni and a twist or two of fresh pepper into a large pan. Bring to simmering heat and leave for three or four minutes to soften the celery.
- Place the mussels in fresh cold water for a few seconds to wash them (do not leave them in the water since they will open and release their own water, which is an integral taste of this recipe). Transfer them to the pan, cover and boil gently for 6-7 minutes, shaking the pan or turning the mussels occasionally so that hey all get cooked.
- Et Voila! Simple as that!
- Discard the bouquet garni and the onion and serve these wondrous critters into large bowls. Personally, Meester Graham just likes the uncomplicated taste of the mussels. If, however, you like to taste the onion too, finely chop it (like the celery) and leave it in the sauce.
- Ladle some of the juice over the mussels and garnish with a little freshly chopped parsley. You can then sit back and enjoy the taste of the most delightfully delicious plump, pinkish-orange meat inside glistening blue shells, yawning open in a sea of wine and herbs! What could be nicer?
GRAHAM'S HOT TIP:
You can turn the juice into a rich sauce if you wish by removing the mussels from the pan, strain the liquid through a sieve (strainer), return it to the pan and stir in three or four tablespoons or fresh double cream (heavy cream). This rich variation can then be poured over the mussels
Reviews of Mussels in White Wine (Moules Marinière)
| March 26 2015 Just need to add that the mussels are cooked when they are fully opened and you do need to keep moving them round. I love this simple recipe, though I do amend it by removing the mussels when they're cooked (keep them warm), stirring cream into the remaining sauce then adding back the mussels. That's really delicious! lillian (1 review) |
What To Eat Tonight
Oh those French! But it's not for nothing that French Cuisine has travelled right across the globe and back. Their recipes can be sublime.
The main course is often the easiest to plan but, when entertaining, what do you use as a starter course? Here are some great choices.
These are our editorial choices that we have tried and really enjoyed. A real mixture of recipes but all of them certain to please.
Other Fish & Seafood Recipes
Warm Mackerel and Bacon Salad is a humble salad that combines creamy, soft smoked mackerel with crisp, streaky bacon. Once tried, never forgotten!
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This wonderful recipe for Fish Curry uses mackerel but in fact, any oily fish such as Herring, Salmon, Trout or Seer Fish would work just as well.
