Creamy Mussel Stew with White Wine and Saffron

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (900g) fresh mussels 2 pounds (900g) fresh mussels
• 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
• 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup (240ml) dry white wine 1 cup (240ml) dry white wine
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• A pinch of saffron threads A pinch of saffron threads
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 26g, 15g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 9g, 2g
• Protein: 23g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Clean the mussels by scrubbing them under cold water and removing any beards or debris.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, and sauté until softened.
3. 3.
   Add the white wine to the pot and bring it to a simmer.
4. 4.
   Add the mussels to the pot and cover with a lid. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that remain closed.
5. 5.
   Remove the mussels from the pot and set aside. Strain the cooking liquid to remove any grit or sand.
6. 6.
   Return the strained liquid to the pot and stir in the cream, Dijon mustard, and saffron. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. 7.
   Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   Return the mussels to the pot and gently stir to coat them in the sauce.
9. 9.
   Serve the Creamy Mussel Stew in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy with crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Mussels — Make sure to discard any mussels that are cracked or do not close when tapped. Scrub them well under cold water to remove any dirt or sand.
• Saffron — To extract the maximum flavor and color from saffron threads, soak them in a tablespoon of warm water for 10 minutes before adding them to the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• Serve the Creamy Mussel Stew with a side of crispy French fries for a delicious combination.
• If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute half of the heavy cream with chicken or vegetable broth.
• Make sure to have plenty of crusty bread on hand to soak up the flavorful sauce.
• For an extra kick of flavor, add a splash of dry vermouth to the stew along with the white wine.
• If you're not a fan of saffron, you can omit it from the recipe without compromising the overall taste.

Serving advice

Serve the Creamy Mussel Stew in individual bowls, making sure to distribute the mussels evenly. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Serve with crusty bread on the side to mop up the delicious sauce.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Creamy Mussel Stew, serve it in shallow bowls to showcase the mussels and the vibrant saffron-infused sauce. Sprinkle some additional saffron threads on top for an elegant touch. Pair it with a glass of chilled white wine for a complete dining experience.