Mussel Gratin Recipes

MUSSELS AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Scrape mussels under cold running water and remove beards. Discard any mussels that do not close when tapped.
• Combine mussels, onion, wine, and pepper in a medium pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook, shaking pot frequently, until mussels open, about 5 minutes.
• Combine bread crumbs, parsley, and garlic in a small dish. Whisk oil and lemon juice together in a second small bowl.
• Snap each mussel into 2 parts and place the shell with the meat in an oven-proof dish. Make sure no liquid remains on the shell; discard the empty shells. Spoon parsley mixture over the mussels and drizzle with the oil mixture.
• Bake mussels in the preheated oven until topping is crunchy, about 10 minutes.

MUSSEL GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• Toss together mussels, tomatoes, basil, crème fraîche, cheese, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in an oiled 3-quart (about 13- by 9 1/2- by 2-inch) baking dish.
• Rub 1 cut side of each bread slice with halved garlic and arrange bread, garlic side up, over mussel mixture in baking dish. Brush tops of bread with oil.
• Bake gratin in middle of oven until bread is golden brown on top, about 15 minutes.
• Serve mussels spooned over garlic toasts.

MUSSEL-AND-SPINACH GRATIN

Steps:

• In a large, deep-sided saucepan combine the wine and mussels, and over high heat bring the mixture to a boil. Cover and cook just until the mussels open, about five minutes. Do not overcook. Remove from the heat. Remove the mussels with a strainer, then strain and reserve the mussel cooking liquid. Discard any mussels that do not open.
• Allow the mussels to cool slightly, and when they are not too hot to touch, remove them from their shells and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spinach and cook just until soft, for one or two minutes. The spinach should remain a bright, vivid green. Immediately drain the spinach and rinse it thoroughly in cold water to set the color. Drain thoroughly, squeezing out any excess liquid. Season to taste with salt, freshly ground black pepper and freshly grated nutmeg and set aside.
• Preheat broiler.
• Prepare the hollandaise: In the top of a double boiler combine the egg yolks and mussel cooking liquid and beat with a whisk over hot but not boiling water until fluffy.
• Add a few spoonfuls of butter to the mixture and whisk continually until the butter has melted and the sauce begins to thicken. Be certain that the water in the bottom of the boiler remains hot but does not boil. Continue adding the butter, bit by bit, stirring constantly.
• Add the salt and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
• Add several tablespoons of hollandaise to the spinach and toss. Divide the spinach among four six-inch round baking dishes and flatten it into a smooth bed. Sprinkle the mussels evenly over the spinach, then spoon hollandaise sauce over the mussels.
• Broil just until the top is crisp and brown. Serve immediately.

MUSSELS GRATIN

Steps:

• Clean mussels thoroughly, and steam in a covered pot for about 5 minutes, or until they open.
• Drain water, and discard any mussels that have not opened.
• Remove the upper shell, leaving the mussel attached to the bottom shell.
• Carefully place mussels on an oven proof plate, taking care to place them in such a way that they don't tip.
• Heat broiler to 500º.
• In a small bowl, combine butter, oil, parmesan, parsley, garlic and pepper.
• Using a spoon, put a little bit of the cheese mixture on each of the mussles.
• Broil 2-3 minutes or until the mussels have browned a bit.
• Serve hot with crusty french bread.

MUSSELS AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Blend the butter and the seasoning together and let stand 1 hour. Scrub and beard the mussels. Place them in a heavy skillet or pot with onion and enough white wine to cover the bottom of the pot well. Cover and steam over a medium flame until the mussels open. When cool enough to handle, remove one half shell from each mussel. Spoon butter mixture on mussels and sprinkle with crumbs. Bake at 425°F. just long enough to heat through. Serve on hot plates.