Recipe15 minutes · serves 2 as a main, 4 to share · Easy

Mussels in White Wine and Garlic

A pound of Newfoundland blue mussels, a splash of wine, and bread to mop the pot. Ten minutes start to finish.

Buy the fish for this recipe

Ingredients

  • 900 g blue mussels, scrubbed and de-bearded
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 180 ml dry white wine
  • Parsley, cream (optional), crusty bread

Method

  1. 01

    Rinse the mussels in cold water and discard any that stay open when tapped.

  2. 02

    Melt the butter in a wide pot and soften the shallot and garlic without colouring, about 3 minutes.

  3. 03

    Pour in the wine and bring it to a hard boil.

  4. 04

    Add the mussels, cover, and steam 4–6 minutes until the shells open. Shake the pot once.

  5. 05

    Lift the mussels out, reduce the liquor a minute, stir in parsley (and cream if you like), and pour it back over.

From the counter: Anything still closed after six minutes goes in the bin, not the bowl.

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