Mussels and Fries

mussels

🥗Healthier: clams

💰Cheaper: canned mussels

Canned mussels are more affordable and easy to find.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier and adds a different flavor.

white wine

🥗Healthier: chicken broth

💰Cheaper: apple cider vinegar

Chicken broth is lower in calories, while vinegar adds acidity.

mayonnaise

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt is lower in calories and adds creaminess.

Introduce the dish as a classic cold weather meal, highlighting the use of fresh mussels from New England.

Show the ingredients for the dish: hand-cut air-fried French fries, aioli or mayonnaise dipping sauce, garlic, Fresno pepper, butter, olive oil, carrots, celery, thyme, creme fraiche, leek, pernod, and prosecco.

Discuss how to choose fresh mussels, emphasizing the importance of checking the harvest and purge dates.

Clean the mussels by rinsing them under cold water and debearding them, explaining the process in detail.

Polish the mussels with coarse kosher salt to remove debris and check for cracked shells, then rinse them off.

Heat a pan and add olive oil and butter, allowing the butter to melt and infuse with garlic without frying it.

Add thyme and bay leaf to the pan to create an aromatic base, then add minced celery, carrots, and leek.

Increase the heat and add a touch of heat with Fresno pepper or chili flakes, stirring the mixture.

Arrange the mussels in a single layer in the pan to ensure they open properly during cooking.

Cover the pan with a lid and allow the mussels to cook until they open, indicating they are ready.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens