A beautiful array of mussels are nested in the shell, glossy with the sweet wine reduction. The vibrant, custard-like crème anglaise pools gracefully around them, speckled with fine orange zest. A dusting of icing sugar on top explodes in a muted white cloud against the panorama of colors underneath. A dramatic sprig of mint rests on top as a playful nod to the sea theme.

Mussels à la Mode de Mer

Name: Mussels à la Mode de Mer
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 24 mussels, 24 scrubbed and de-bearded; dry white wine, 1 cup; vanilla bean, 1 split lengthwise; granulated sugar, 1/2 cup; cream, 2 cups; egg yolk, 4; zest of one orange, 1 orange zested; icing sugar, for dusting; fresh mint, few sprigs for garnish

Category Dessert

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 15 minutes

Style French

Technique Steaming

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily Recipe: February 19, 2024

Introducing a unique twist to classic French desserts by featuring Mussels, a seafood typically found in savory dishes. The mussels are simmered in sweet white wine and vanilla, creating a harmonious blend of sea and sweetness that will intrigue and delight your palate.

Ingredients (for 4)

24 mussels - 24 - scrubbed and de-bearded
Dry white wine - 1 cup
Vanilla bean - 1 - split lengthwise
Granulated sugar - 1/2 cup
Cream - 2 cups
Egg yolk - 4
Zest of one orange - 1 orange - zested
Icing sugar - for dusting
Fresh mint - few sprigs - for garnish

Preparation

Step 1 - 🚿🐚🗑️

Rinse the mussels under cool water, remove any beards and discard the broken shells.
Step 2 - 🍷🍚🌱

In a large pot, simmer the wine, half of the sugar and the vanilla bean.
Step 3 - 🔥🐚⏲️

Once it begins to boil, add the mussels, cover and let steam for about 5 minutes until the shells open.
Step 4 - 🐚🆒🔪

Remove mussels and let cool. Once cool, remove them from their shells keeping the half shell intact.
Step 5 - 🥚🍥🍚

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining sugar until pale yellow.
Step 6 - 🔥🥛🥚

Heat the cream on stove until hot, but not boiling. Slowly whisk into egg mixture.
Step 7 - 🥛🍊🍲

Strain the cream mix back into the pot, stir in the orange zest and cook until it thickens.
Step 8 - 🐚🍨🍃

Arrange the cooled mussels in their half shells on serving dishes. Pour the crème anglaise around mussels, dust with icing sugar and garnish with mint.

Additional

Although mussels are commonly associated with savory courses, they lend the dessert a unique savory undertone that balances the sweetness of the sauce. This recipe champions the concept of 'terroir', a French term that involves matching the food with ingredients that come from the same region, leading to a harmonious flavor profile. Feel free to experiment it with other types of citrus for zest, like lemon or grapefruit, for a fresh twist!