Les moules farcies

Moules farcies sound so much better than stuffed mussels but that is what they are.  The mussels are first opened.  This can be done with a knife but a preferable way is to steam them as though cooking moules marinière.  This latter method has the advantages of adding to the flavour and easy identification of dodgy mussels – the ones that will not open.  The mussels are then stuffed with a mixture of garlic, parsley, butter and breadcrumbs.  The result is not dissimilar to garlic-butter snails.

Preparation Time: 25 Mins

Cooking Time: 15 Mins

Total Time: 50 Mins

Ingredients

For 4 servings…

1½ kg             Mussels  - cleaned and debearded         

To prepare the mussels

1                    Shallot  - sliced       

1 clove            Garlic  - bruised       

30 gms            Butter       

½ glass           Wine  - dry white     

10                  Peppercorns           

1 sprig            Parsley     

For the stuffing

35 gms            Breadcrumbs          

160 gms          Butter       

3 cloves           Garlic  - crushed      

40 gms            Parsley  - chopped    

                      Pepper  - freshly ground, black 

Method

To prepare the mussels…

Wash the mussels them and scrap them carefully.

Fry the sliced shallot and bruised garlic in the butter until the shallot has gone clear.  Add the wine, peppercorns and parsley.  Bring to the boil and put in the cleaned mussels.   As they open, take them out and discard the empty half-shells.  Also discard any that do not open.  Do not cook them more than is necessary for them to open, otherwise they will shrink.

To prepare the stuffing….

Blend the stuffing ingredients in a food processor and then spread on the mussels.

Final cooking…

Place the mussels in a gratin dish or snail dishes.  Place in an oven at 210°C for 10 minutes until nicely browned.  Serve at once.

Wine recommendations

Conventional

     Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur lie

Interesting

     Jurançon

     Picpoul de Pinet

     Pinot Blanc

     Quincy