Mussel Recipe

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Classic Moules Mariniere

Mussel Recipe

This mussel recipe is the classic moules mariniere. It's a delicious and tasty way to serve mussels.

It's very quick to cook.

Take care in the preparation of your mussels.

Discard any mussels that are dead - if you tap the shell and they don't close, then they're dead, have gone to meet their maker. 

Keep the mussels in the fridge and do not immerse them in fresh water as this will kill them. They don't need any  water at all between your purchasing them and cooking them. 

Scrub the shells with a wire brush and pull the beards away.

Then you're ready to cook the mussels.


Moules Mariniere - Mussel Recipe


  • 2 lbs (1.kg) fresh mussels
  • 4 oz (115g) unsalted butter
  • 1 large clove garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 1 small onion - peeled and finely chopped
  • 7 fl oz (200ml) dry white wine
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Large handful fresh chopped parsley

Heat half the butter in a large pan.

Add the garlic, onion, wine and bay leaf and cook gently until the onion is softened.

Bring the mixture to the boil and then add the mussels.

Put a lid on the pan and shake over the heat for 2 to 3 minutes, by which time the mussels should have opened.

At this stage, discard any that have remained closed as they were dead before cooking.

Put the mussels into 2 large bowls and bring the sauce to the boil again.

Pour the sauce over the mussels and serve immediately.

Lots of fresh crusty bread is in order to mop up the juices.

The smell and taste is divine.

Cook's Notes

Mussels are a super meal for a light lunch in the summer HOWEVER there are some issues. 

They are filter feeders, so be careful if you go to collect them from the beach that you go to a pollution free area - no sewerage outlets. 

Also, whilst it's okay to eat commercially grown mussels all year, don't collect them when there's an R in the month - not May through to August. It gives them time to breed and also the water is warmer and the likelihood of bacteria greater. 

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Mussels Recipe - Moules Mariniere





By , Mar 21, 2017



Moules Mariniere



How to cook this classic mussels recipe - Moules Mariniere.





Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Yield: 2 to 4

Main Ingredient: mussels,