Mussels in White Wine Sauce

My sweetheart Guy (that’s pronounced “Gee” with a hard “g”) grew up in Southern France, in Provence, near the sea. And like so many people from Provence, Guy has a passion for all things seafood, especially mussels, or as the French call them, “moules”.

Mussels steamed in white wine and served in a sauce made from the cooking liquid with butter and shallots is a classic French preparation of mussels, moules mariniere.

This is Guy’s method for moules mariniere, the way he grew up making it in France, and one of the easiest and loveliest ways of preparing mussels. It is wonderful for an appetizer or a light lunch, and excellent with a glass of white wine and some crusty bread.

Mussels in White Wine Sauce Recipe

When purchasing mussels be sure they smell like the ocean, not fishy.

Don't buy any whose shells are cracked or open or any that refuse to close their shells when you handle or tap them, those are likely dying or dead.

Try to cook the mussels immediately (unwrap them as soon as you get home), but if you have to wait place them in a bowl and cover them with a damp towel so they can breathe.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds mussels, scrubbed clean under running water
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup minced shallots
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons flour (optional, omit for gluten-free version)
• 1/4 cup minced parsley

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