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Active Time: 25 Minutes
Total Time: 45 Minutes
Yield: Serves 8
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| If you want to serve these mussels in bowls as a quick shellfish stew, add the lemon-fennel butter to the cooking liquid after you have removed the mussels, then simmer until it thickens slightly and use it as a sauce. |
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
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DIRECTIONS
In a large saucepan, combine the wine and shallots and bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover and cook over high heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until the mussels open, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the mussels to a bowl as they are done. Let cool slightly.
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Remove the mussels from their shells and transfer to a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of the olive oil to the mussels and toss to coat. Sort through the mussel shells and keep the nicest shell from each pair; discard the rest.
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Grind the fennel seeds in a spice grinder or mortar. Heat the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a small saucepan. Add the chopped fennel and cook over high heat, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the Pernod, tilt the pan and carefully ignite the Pernod with a long match. When the flames die down, remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and let cool to room temperature. Gradually whisk in the butter, ground fennel seeds,
lemon juice and lemon zest and season with salt and pepper.
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Preheat the broiler. Place 1 mussel in each shell and set the mussels on a rimmed baking sheet. Top each mussel with 1/2 teaspoon of the fennel butter. Broil about 6 inches from the heat for 1 minute, just until the mussels sizzle. Garnish each with a small fennel sprig and serve immediately.
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WINE RECOMMENDATION:
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Try a stainless steel-fermented dry white, such as the 1997 Wente Estate Grown-a crisp, clean Chardonnay that won't overpower the mussels. Or drink a brut sparkling wine.
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MAKE AHEAD:
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The mussels can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated for up to 4 hours.
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Recipe reprinted by permission of Food and Wine. All rights reserved.
Date Added: 01/01/2008
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Nutrition Facts per Serving
Yield: Serves 8
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