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Moules (mussels) are a favorite in my kitchen. Partially because cooking them is just so darn easy, but of course, they are absolutely delicious and feel decadent to enjoy as well (even though they are not – just a fantastic source of protein).
Coming up with appetizers that catch the eye, satiate the palate of my guests and allow for simple enjoyment is a combination I am always on the look-out for, so when I came across French chef, and winner of two Michelin stars, Raymond Blanc‘s recipe for Moules Provençal, I tried it immediately.
In the premiere episode of Season 4, I will show you how I adapted the recipe to work with what my garden offered, how to properly prepare and cook moules and how to enjoy them without a mess (the shell serves as the serving utensil – brilliant!).
Stepping back into the kitchen this season felt special as for the first time, I had spent a full year in my kitchen here at Le Papillon, had more time than usual to cook for myself and with the gradual maturation of my own garden, explore what I could do with what I grew.
You will see and hear both boys in today’s episode, and I am thankful for that as Oscar is getting on in years (he is now closer to 17 than 16) and at Norman’s age (12), he just moseys about doing his own thing which is fun to capture if I am fortunate enough.
I do hope you enjoy this first episode of the new season. Feel free to share how and where you enjoy watching, and I will be sharing viewers’ pics here on future posts as well as on Instagram.
Look for eight new episodes this season. One airing each Saturday through the end of October. All episodes will air exclusively on TSLL until January 2022. You can all previous seasons here on the blog, YouTube and on Apple Podcasts or wherever podcasts are available.
Moules Provençal – delicious, inexpensive and simple to make
Now to the episode!
~NOTE to readers who cannot see a video below: Be sure to turn off your ad-blocker if you use one as you will not be able to see a video at all if the ad-blocker is in use. Once you turn off your ad-blocker, you will need to restart your device to view the video.
~Tour my full kitchen and learn all of the details and my approach to this new space as well as how I decided on a La Cornue stove to be my lifetime stove. I am so tickled with how it was customized and transformed this summer (2020). (be sure to become a TOP Tier Member/Subscriber to be able to view the tour post.)
Links from the Episode:
Simply Raymond: Recipes from Home by Raymond Blanc
Moules Marinière à la Crème, Season 2 Premiere episode
~Cook & Share! I would love to share your Simply Luxurious Kitchen inspired experiences from your kitchen! Tag me on Instagram with @thesimplyluxuriouslife #tslkitchen and your post could appear on my Instagram feed as well as on a future Show Notes post (see below). Many readers have already shared their meals inspired by recipes from TSLKitchen. Check out TSLL’s IG Story Highlights – titled, Viewers’ Recipes.
Be sure to watch the full IG Reel as Zohra takes you through the entire Croissant making and baking process from Season 2, Episode #6 of TSLK! The music is a perfect pairing!
Zohra’s Croissants! Find TSLL’s recipe to make your own here in Season 2, episode #6
From Season 2, episode #7, Sweet Potato, Arugula and Chicken Salad
This salad pic just grabbed my tastebuds. Great job Stephanie! From a TSLL recipe shared a couple of years ago – Lemon, Basil Zucchini Noodle Salad
So good!! Sarah’s Korova Cookies (a chocolate sablé) turned out amazing!
Stop by to watch next week’s episode and more readers’ pics will be shared!
~Cook & Share! I would love to share your Simply Luxurious Kitchen inspired experiences from your kitchen. Tag me on Instagram with @thesimplyluxuriouslife #tslkitchen and your post could appear on my Instagram feed as well as on a future Show Notes post (see below). Many readers have already shared their meals inspired by recipes from TSLKitchen. Check out TSLL’s IG Story Highlights – titled, Viewers’ Recipes.
Digital Cookbooks for Each Season of the Show are available. If you are looking for all of the recipes for each previous season in one easy to find place without having to click through each episode for each season, I now have available a Digital Cookbook for Seasons 1, 2, & 3 ($8). Shop here.(Note: All TOP Tier Members/Subscribers can download these cookbooks for free.) Season 4’s cookbook will be available at the end of this season (end of October).
Moules Provençal
Ingredients
Herb Butter
- 2 small shallots (or one large shallot) roughly chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 handfuls fresh flat leaf parsley
- 60 grams panko (or bread crumbs) Keep a handful or so extra for sprinkling on top of the mussels before you place them under the grill to brown.
- 180 grams unsalted butter
- 1-2 tsp fleur de sel
- 2-4 Tbsp water depending upon the viscosity of the spread
Moules (Mussels)
- 3-4 sm shallots or 1 small white or sweet onion
- 1 1/2 lb moules, fresh (mussels)
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 large bay leaves
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 100 ml (or 1/2 cup) of dry white wine
Instructions
Herb Butter
- Using a food processor, place the parsley, garlic clove, shallots, breadcrumbs and butter into the canister and pulse to combine and chop finely. Add the water last, one tablespoon at a time to determine when the spread reaches the consitency of butter (don't let it get too easily spreadable).
- Set aside the herb butter. Keep at room temperature so that it is easily spreadable when the moules are ready to be prepared.
Moules
- Preheat the oven to Broil.
- Using a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots, bay leaves and thyme. Cook for about one minute. The shallots will have just begun turning transculent. They will continue to cook once the moules are added.
- Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the moules. Add the white wine and cover for 2-3 minutes. The moules will begin to open up prompted by the steam. After 2-3 minutes, remove the lid. Most, if not all, moules should be opened. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and remove any moules that did not open.
- Strain out the liquid (using in a later recipe as broth – risotto for example). Remove the top shell from each of the moules (or the shell that is not connected to the moules itself. Discard. Place the moules in their half-shelves on a parchment lined baking sheet. Separate each moule from its shell, so that it sits in it, but can easily be enjoyed when eaten.
- Using a small spatula, spread the herb butter over the top of each moule in its half shell. Leave just enough uncovered to reveal what is underneath. Sprinkle with a dash of more bread crumbs and place in the oven under the broiler until golden brown (about 3-5 minutes).
- Place on a large platter. Enjoy with the white wine you cooked the moules in over the stovetop or a crisp Provençal rosé. Freshly made crusty artisan bread would be delicious to clean up any extra melted herb butter.
~View more episodes of The Simply Luxurious Kitchen here.
Hello Shannon So pleased you enjoyed Raymond Blanc. His series is being repeated on ITV here, 8pm last evening. Although repeats, absolutely worth watching again. Looking forward to the rest of the TSLL cooking shows. Best wishes, Sue.
Sue, Thank you again for the cookbook! I love it and getting to know him even more a treat. 🙂
So excite for this new season. I will try this recipe for sure.
Thanks ?
Thank you for stopping by Ana ☺️ I do hope you enjoy this recipe. So simple! And mussels, yum!!!
Hi Shannon! I loved this recipe and look forward to trying it. I agree with your idea of using the fresh ingredients that one has on hand to add so much flavor. I made salmon last evening and tossed two handfuls of cherry tomatoes fresh from garden on top. When roasted together they made for a incredibly delicious meal. I really enjoyed this first episode. Your dress is lovely and it’s wonderful to see Norman and Oscar! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Thank you for sharing how you “danced” in your own kitchen with fresh ingredients from your garden! It sounds delicious!!
So glad to see this new season. Your dress is lovely, I could never cook wearing such an item, I am a dribbler, spiller! My puppy stays in the kitchen when I cook just waiting for something to hit the floor.
What a nice little treat this would be. I’ve never done much with mussels other than a steam and a bit of garlic! Definitely will add this, I will test it a time or two before I share it with friends or family….just in case I mess up! Thank you!
A lovely first episode Shannon, thank you. I’ve never cooked with mussels before, but this looks delicious. The boys look like they thought so too!
I’ve been enjoying Raymond Blanc’s cooking show that pairs with the boom you’ve mentioned. His restaurant here in Oxfordshire looks stunning and he utilises their kitchen garden throughout as you do.
I look forward to more inspiration
Sarah
I think my family would like me to make these and hopefully there would be some butter left for another day. Yummy. You’re such a stylish cook. I’d have probably dipped my sleeve in something. X
Oh, I think your family will enjoy these. ? Thank you for tuning in.
Fantastic first episode of this season’s TSLK, Shannon! The joy and zest you have for being in your kitchen leaps off the screen. I like you saying “we”, it makes me feel like you are including the whole TSLL crew in the experience–even though you are obviously doing everything and we are merely the lucky audience to your efforts?. And it was such a treat to see the puppers meandering through, especially the Venerable Mr. Oscar. Must check out Raymond Blanc, thank you Sue and Shannon! Well done. And YUM!!!
Thank you for watching this first episode of the season Rona! 🙂 I so enjoy welcoming you all into my kitchen. It is a treat. 🙂 The boys always wondering who I am talking to, but when they get to nibble the bits I give them, their attention shifts to the food and the question subsides. 🙂
Thank, Shannon, for this great first episode of the TSLLK’s season! As I am still trying to catch with your posts from the last two weeks, I will, on this, totally subscribe to reader Rona’s comment above (thanks, Rona, I have just “borrowed your comment”…). 🙂
Also, yes, you dress is lovely and you so radiant in it.
Sorry, correcting typos on the last sentence:
Also, yes, your dress is lovely and you look so radiant in it.
(insert here embarrassed chuckle…)