Classic French Moules Marinières
Dive into the rich maritime flavors of France with this exquisite recipe for Moules Marinières, also known as Sailor's Mussels. This classic dish features fresh, plump mussels steamed to perfection in a luxurious sauce made with aromatic garlic, finely chopped onions, a splash of dry white wine, and a generous dollop of butter and cream. Infused with the fragrant freshness of herbs like parsley, oregano, and tarragon, it embodies the essence of coastal cuisine. Serve it as a delightful starter or a light main course, accompanied by crusty bread to soak up the savory sauce, or pair it with golden, crispy frites for a truly indulgent experience. Eating these delightful mussels is an interactive affair; use an empty shell as a makeshift spoon to savor every last morsel. Cooking mussels is surprisingly simple, and this recipe will empower you to impress your guests with a restaurant-quality meal right at home. Bon Appétit!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh live mussels
2 1/4 lbs (Cleaned and debearded)
Garlic cloves
2 (Chopped)
Onion
1 (Finely chopped)
Dry white wine
5 fluid ounces (N/A)
Butter
2 ounces (N/A)
Fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, tarragon)
1 large handful (Finely chopped)
Cream or crème fraîche
4 tablespoons (N/A)
Salt and pepper
To taste (N/A)
Instructions
1
Begin by placing the live mussels in a bowl of fresh water, allowing them to expel sand and grit. Scrub the shells thoroughly with a brush and debeard them, discarding any mussels that are open, broken, or cracked.
2
In a large saucepan, melt a bit of butter (or olive oil) over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until translucent and fragrant.
3
Stir in half of the finely chopped fresh herbs, seasoning with black pepper. Avoid salt at this stage to prevent the mussels from becoming tough.
4
Add the dry white wine to the aromatic mixture and then carefully add the cleaned mussels, increasing the heat to high. Cover the saucepan with a lid and allow the mussels to steam for approximately 5 minutes, shaking the pan gently every minute to help the mussels open evenly.
5
Once the mussels have opened, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the cream (or crème fraîche) along with the remaining fresh herbs to enhance the flavor. Mix gently to combine all the ingredients.
6
Serve immediately, accompanied by crusty bread or crispy frites, and savor your Moules Marinières with a glass of chilled white wine. Remember to discard any mussels that remain closed after cooking. Enjoy your meal!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Moules Marinières?
Moules Marinières, also known as Sailor's Mussels, is a classic French dish featuring mussels steamed in a sauce of white wine, aromatics, butter, and cream.
How many mussels are needed for this recipe?
This recipe requires 2 1/4 lbs of fresh live mussels.
How do I prepare the mussels before cooking?
Place them in a bowl of fresh water to expel sand, scrub the shells with a brush, and remove the beards.
Which mussels should I discard before cooking?
Discard any mussels that are already open, broken, or cracked before you begin the cooking process.
What aromatics are used in Moules Marinières?
The recipe uses finely chopped onion and two cloves of chopped garlic.
What type of wine is best for this recipe?
A dry white wine is recommended for the most authentic flavor.
Which fresh herbs are included?
The dish uses a large handful of finely chopped parsley, oregano, and tarragon.
Why should I wait to add salt?
You should avoid adding salt until the end because adding it too early can make the mussels become tough.
How long do the mussels need to steam?
The mussels should be steamed on high heat for approximately 5 minutes.
How often should I shake the pan while steaming?
You should shake the pan gently every minute to ensure the mussels open evenly.
What do I do if a mussel stays closed after cooking?
Discard any mussels that remain closed after the 5-minute steaming process as they may be unsafe to eat.
What type of cream can be used?
You can use either heavy cream or crème fraîche depending on your preference.
What are the traditional side dishes for this meal?
It is traditionally served with crusty bread to soak up the sauce or with golden, crispy frites (French fries).
What is a fun way to eat these mussels?
You can use an empty mussel shell as a makeshift spoon or pincer to extract the meat from other shells.
Can I use olive oil instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for melting either butter or olive oil to sauté the aromatics.
What is the first step of the cooking process?
The first step is cleaning and debearding the live mussels in fresh water.
When do I add the fresh herbs?
Half of the herbs are added during the sautéing stage, and the remaining half are added at the very end with the cream.
Is this a difficult recipe to make?
No, cooking mussels is surprisingly simple and allows you to create a restaurant-quality meal at home.
What heat setting should I use for sautéing the onions?
The onions and garlic should be sautéed over medium heat until translucent.
What heat setting is used for steaming?
Once the wine and mussels are added, the heat should be increased to high.
What beverage pairs well with Moules Marinières?
It is best enjoyed with a glass of chilled white wine.
How much cream is added to the sauce?
The recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of cream or crème fraîche.
What is the texture of the mussels when cooked correctly?
When steamed properly, the mussels should be plump and tender.
Is this recipe considered Mediterranean?
Yes, it is tagged as both French cuisine and Mediterranean.
Can I make this as a starter?
Yes, Moules Marinières works perfectly as either a delightful starter or a light main course.
How much wine is required?
The recipe uses 5 fluid ounces of dry white wine.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 chopped garlic cloves.
Does this recipe include black pepper?
Yes, black pepper is added with the first batch of herbs for seasoning.
Is a lid necessary for the saucepan?
Yes, you must cover the saucepan with a lid to steam the mussels effectively.
What is the overall flavor profile of the dish?
It is a rich, savory, and aromatic dish with maritime flavors and a luxurious, creamy sauce.