Moules-Frites! 🇧🇪😍🇫🇷

Belgian beer

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic beer

💰Cheaper: lager

Non-alcoholic beer maintains a similar flavor profile without alcohol.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Olive oil is healthier, while margarine is a cost-effective alternative.

fries

🥗Healthier: sweet potato fries

💰Cheaper: potato wedges

Sweet potato fries offer a healthier option, while potato wedges are cheaper.

crusty bread

🥗Healthier: whole grain bread

💰Cheaper: white bread

Whole grain bread is healthier, while white bread is more economical.

Start with about 1kg of fresh mussels and add to some cold, heavily salted water. Leave the mussels to purge out any excess dirt / sand for 30 mins, then rinse thoroughly in fresh water till it runs clear and set aside.

Peel 500g of Maris piper potatoes and then using a knife or mandolin, cut into thin slices. Rinse till water runs clear, then leave to soak in cold water in fridge for an hour.

Finely dice up your mirepoix: 2 sticks celery, same amount fennel, leek, 1 shallot, 3 cloves garlic, 2 red chillies and ~100g chorizo.

Add some extra virgin olive oil to a pan, then throw in your chorizo and cook till golden and crispy on medium-high for about 7 minutes.

Throw in the rest of your mirepoix and sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Season, then add in some fresh herbs, like thyme and bay.

Throw in your mussels and sauté for 2 minutes before deglazing with a nice white wine (~200ml), then cover with a lid and leave to simmer for about 3 minutes.

In a separate pan, bring some neutral oil up to 350°F - don’t fill the pan more than half.

Remove the lid and discard any mussels that haven’t opened, then add 3 tbsp crème fraïche and fresh parsley and shake the pan to emulsify - kill the heat around here.

Thoroughly dry your frites, carefully add to the oil and fry till golden and crisp for about 5-7 minutes.

Once golden, remove, drain and season with rosemary salt, parmigiano and chives.

Plate up with a bowl full of mussels, plenty of the braising liquid and a heaped pile of crispy frites.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens