Herb-Butter Baked Mussels
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Herb-Butter Baked Mussels, an exquisite dish perfect for sharing with family and friends. This recipe transforms fresh, large mussels into a gourmet experience by combining them with a rich herb butter infused with shallots and garlic, and baked to golden perfection. Serve them straight from the oven, garnished with fresh parsley and accompanied by crusty baguette slices to soak up the savory juices. Ideal for special occasions or cozy dinners, this dish not only impresses but also satisfies the seafood lover in everyone.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
large mussels
2 lbs (cleaned and debearded)
butter
4 oz (softened to room temperature)
shallots
2 small (very finely chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (very finely chopped)
fresh parsley
1/3 cup (chopped)
salt
to taste (optional)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
baguette
1 (sliced into 1-inch thick diagonal slices)
Instructions
1
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Carefully clean and debeard the mussels. Using a sharp knife, gently pry open each mussel, cutting the large tendon to keep the meat intact on one side. Discard the empty shell and place the filled mussels shell-side down on a large baking dish.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, finely chopped shallots, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated. Optionally, refrigerate the mixture for a short while to allow it to firm up.
4
Once all the mussels are prepared, place about half a teaspoon of the herb butter mixture on top of each mussel.
5
Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for about 5-8 minutes, or until the mussels are bubbly and the shallots are golden brown. Keep an eye on them while they cook.
6
Remove the tray from the oven and place it on a heatproof holder at the center of your table. Encourage guests to pick the mussels straight from the tray as they enjoy them.
7
Serve with sliced baguette to soak up the flavorful juices. Enjoy your delicious meal and feel free to share your thoughts on this recipe!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Herb-Butter Baked Mussels?
Herb-Butter Baked Mussels are a gourmet seafood appetizer featuring large mussels topped with a rich, garlic-and-shallot infused butter and baked until golden.
What oven temperature is required for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C) before baking the mussels.
How do I prepare the mussels before cooking?
Clean and debeard the mussels, then pry them open with a sharp knife, cutting the tendon to keep the meat on one shell and discarding the empty half.
What ingredients are in the herb butter mixture?
The mixture consists of softened butter, finely chopped shallots, garlic, fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper.
How many mussels are needed for this recipe?
You will need 2 lbs of large mussels for this dish.
How much butter is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of butter softened to room temperature.
How should the shallots and garlic be chopped?
Both the shallots and the garlic cloves should be very finely chopped.
How much herb butter should be placed on each mussel?
Place about half a teaspoon of the herb butter mixture on top of each prepared mussel shell.
How long do the mussels need to bake?
The mussels should bake for approximately 5 to 8 minutes.
What are the visual cues that the mussels are done?
The mussels are ready when they are bubbly and the shallots have turned golden brown.
What is the best way to serve Herb-Butter Baked Mussels?
Serve them straight from the oven on a heatproof holder in the center of the table for guests to pick from.
What side is recommended to accompany this dish?
A sliced baguette is recommended to soak up the flavorful juices and herb butter.
How thick should the baguette slices be?
The baguette should be sliced into 1-inch thick diagonal slices.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is intended to serve 4 people.
Can I prepare the herb butter in advance?
Yes, you can mix the butter ingredients and optionally refrigerate the mixture for a short while to let it firm up.
Is this recipe considered a quick dish?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick recipe due to its short 5-8 minute baking time.
What type of cuisine does this dish belong to?
This dish is categorized as French cuisine.
Is salt required in the herb butter?
Salt is optional and should be added to taste depending on your preference.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 3 very finely chopped garlic cloves.
What is the role of the shallots in this recipe?
The shallots provide a delicate flavor to the butter and a golden brown texture once baked.
Can I use dried parsley instead of fresh?
The recipe specifies 1/3 cup of chopped fresh parsley for the best flavor and gourmet presentation.
How should the mussels be positioned in the baking dish?
The mussels should be placed shell-side down on a large baking dish.
What should I do with the beard of the mussel?
The beard should be removed during the cleaning process before the mussels are pried open.
Is this dish suitable for a formal occasion?
Yes, it is described as an exquisite and impressive dish perfect for special occasions.
What type of mussels should I buy?
Large mussels are recommended for this specific baking preparation.
Does the recipe include nutritional information like calories or fat?
The current recipe data does not specify exact nutritional values for calories, fat, or carbohydrates.
What should I use to open the mussels?
A sharp knife should be used to carefully pry open the shells and cut the tendon.
Can guests eat directly from the baking tray?
Yes, the recipe encourages guests to pick the mussels straight from the tray at the table.
What tags are associated with this recipe for searching?
Associated tags include seafood, oven-baked, appetizer, herb butter, and gourmet.
How many shallots are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 small shallots that are very finely chopped.