Moules-Frites (Belgian Mussels and Fries)

Belgium''s national dish — mussels steamed in white wine with crispy frites.

Ingredients

• 4 lbs mussels, scrubbed and debearded
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 shallots, minced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Fresh parsley
• Frites (double-fried, see British Fish and Chips)

Method

1. Melt butter. Sauté shallots 2 min. Add garlic, 30 sec.

2. Add wine. Bring to a boil. Add mussels. Cover.

3. Steam 5-7 min until mussels open. Discard any that don''t open.

4. Stir in cream and parsley.

5. Serve in the pot with frites on the side for dipping in the broth.

What You're Practicing

• Mussels cook in 5-7 minutes — they''re one of the fastest proteins.
• The broth (wine + mussel liquor + cream) is as important as the mussels — dip your frites in it.