beer-cooked mussels & (a few) clams toobeer-cooked mussels & (a few) clams toobeer-cooked mussels & (a few) clams toobeer-cooked mussels & (a few) clams toobeer-cooked mussels & (a few) clams toobeer-cooked mussels & (a few) clams toobeer-cooked mussels & (a few) clams toobeer-cooked mussels & (a few) clams too

*reminder for Friday night :

BEER & MUSSELS & (a few) CLAMS & fresh BREAD & maybe some FRIES with MAYONNAISE too !

This is an easy, end-of-the-week dish for two, especially if prepared with fresh vegetables and herbs. Obviously, the official name of this dish is "moules marinières" or "mariner / sailor mussels". But I added just a few clams too (I say “just a few” because clams are 4 times more expensive than mussels, here in Paris). Serving this dish with bread to mop up the thickened sauce is a great idea, but if you decide to make some fries too, then you’ll be a STAR. You can make the perfect fries following the recipe I published a few days ago (see the recipe here). Try preparing the fries by doing steps 1 & 2 the night before and the final frying as the mussels are cooking. The mussels and clams should be prepared only right before it’s time to eat. Super FRESH, then super HOT, is always BEST !

A short introduction for an easy, classic, uncomplicated recipe, whether in Belgium or northern France or wherever you happen to be. Have a great weekend … :) 

beer-cooked mussels & (a few) clams too

04.03.2016

2-3

ingredients

  • 2 kg fresh mussels (or as I did 1,7 kg fresh mussels and 300 grams fresh clams)
  • 45-60 grams or 3-4 tbsp butter
  • 125 grams or 1 branch celery
  • 125 grams or 1 leek (white part)
  • 50 grams or 1 onion
  • 30 grams or 1 shallot
  • 20 grams or 2 medium cloves of garlic
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 small fresh rosemary branch
  • 2 fresh thyme branches
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • 360 ml - 480 ml or 1½ - 2 cups belgian beer

sauce thickener

  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (1/2 lemon)

extra garnish

  • 1 tbsp fresh dill leaves
  • 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 4-6 half lemon slices & some zest
  • optional : 1 tbsp chopped leek rings (light green part)

instructions

  • wash mussels and clams and soak in cold water for several minutes to get rid of sand and impurities (throw out any already open ones) and let drain in a colander
  • chop the vegetables and garlic in thin slices and prepare the fresh herbs
  • melt butter in a very large pot and add sliced vegetables, herbs, pepper, salt and cook at medium heat for 8-10 minutes until translucent and softer
  • add the beer to the cooked vegetables, bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium-high heat and let simmer and reduce for 5 minutes
  • prepare sauce thickener by combining all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well
  • increase heat to medium-high, remove bay leaves and herb stalks and add sauce thickener and let reduce for 2 minutes, then add all mussels and clams, stir and cover with lid and let cook at medium heat for 3-4 minutes (shaking the pot several times) until all shells have opened, stir well
  • remove the opened mussels and clams, place on a plate and cover to keep warm and let the sauce thicken further for 2 minutes (at maximum heat)
  • pour some of the thickened sauce over the mussels and clams and sprinkle with the chopped dill, parsley, lemon slices and zest, leek rings, then serve in a large bowl accompanied with fresh bread and/or perfect home fries (see my recipe/technique here).