One of the great things about living in Maine, is that an “economical” dinner can often include steamed lobster, clams, or in this case, mussels. A two-pound bag of mussels is $2.99, and, served with a crusty baguette for dipping, is plenty of food for a light dinner for two.
Most mussels are sold still alive; give them a quick rinse and check to see if any still have their “beards,” the tough fibers that attach the mussels to the rock. These can be pulled off by hand or cut with a paring knife. Check to also make sure that all of your mussels are still alive before cooking; any open shells that don’t close after a few squeezes are dead, and should be discarded.
Steamed Mussels with White Wine and Garlic
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dry white wine
- 4 large shallots, minced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 pounds mussels
- Handful of mixed fresh herbs, including parsley, or basil, chopped
- 1 stick of salted butter, cut into pieces
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Method:
Combine wine, shallots, garlic, and salt in a stock pot over medium heat. Simmer five minutes. Add mussels. Turn heat to high and cook, covered, until mussels open, about five minutes. Add herbs, butter, and mustard, and toss to mix well. Serve immediately over pasta or with a loaf of crusty bread for mopping.





fromawaymaine
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We're Jillian and Malcolm. We cook comfort food from around the world, designed to make you feel right at home, wherever you are. Join us as we explore Maine's vibrant food culture and cook New England's classic dishes, as well as our favorite recipes From Away. 












{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
i heart your guy’s blog.
Thanks Jenner…we’re big fans of your site, too!
I saw Andrew Zimmern’s (bizarre food) Maine episode and nearly wept with envy. I knew Maine was beautiful and all, but I hadn’t considered the access to inexpensive seafood.
It’s really true. We have had nights where we couldn’t figure out what to get for dinner, and didn’t want to spend a ton of money, where going to the supermarket and getting a lobster was an inexpensive solution.
Where do you buy your mussels? I went to one place and was kind of disappointed in the flavorfulness/price.
We were pressed for time, so, as much as we wanted to drive around and get different ingredients from different places, these just came from Hannaford. They were pretty good!
love that mussel action shot! EXTREME BROTH
Congratulations, and thanks for posting about the food scene in Maine. Mussels, baguette, and white wine, one of our favorites. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for stopping by, Tony!