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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Mussels with White Wine and Fennel inspired by Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard for Cook the Books

A love story set in Paris that is NOT over-romanticised. But IS utterly romantic. That is what Lunch in Paris: A Love Story with Recipes by Elizabeth Bard is to me. The trials and tribulations of a courtship, a marriage, and the relationships that form during this time from across seas and language barriers and cultural differences are honest. Their union is almost unlikely...an American woman who (of course) who believes that anything is possible and a Frenchman who automatically respects his station...his "place"... in life learn to embrace each others cultures and come up with a life that fits them. But not without fear and tears and frustration.

The scenes at the French markets entranced me. I could close my eyes (okay, not actually close my eyes...I was reading, duh) and hear the coo of the French farmer selling his speckled apricots to the Americana. I could see the impatience of the perennially thin, polished, experienced French women...I could see it in their eyes as they wait for Elizabeth to take her time fumbling through the correct terms in a language that was not (initially) her own. I could feel the sense of wonder...and I wanted to be stuck, twirling in the midst of it...soaking it all in.

The food scenes and the recipes woven into every chapter...every tale...are probably my favorite parts of the book. And guess what? They're as integral to Bard's story as any of her difficult trials. From the comfort meals of her childhood...super-sized Jewish American feasts...always having plenty of food for leftovers to the "French way" of eating...and the real reason that French women don't get fat. I love that food is not an afterthought, but a normal part of everyday life for Elizabeth, Gwendal, and her new extended family. I'm pretty sure food is one of the reasons she fits into the French scene so well. While I was on the verge of making "Better than French" Onion Soup and the Lemon Sorbet with Vodka, I decided that I really, really wanted to make some mussels...I was inspired by the vacation on the island of Bell-Ile, off the coast of Brittany...and American body image vs. French body image. Plus, my own husband has been passively reminding me that he's been wanting mussels for more than a year (far more) now. What better time than while reading about another cross-culture marriage? He was full and smiling when nothing remained in front of him but a pile of shells. And so was I.
Mussels with White Wine and Fennel
Moules Mariniéres
adapted from Lunch in Paris
serves 2
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2 lb. mussels, debearded (discard any open or broken shells)
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. olive oil
½ lg. red onion, diced
1 small fennel bulb, finely diced
5 cloves garlic, sliced paper thin
1 ripe tomato,diced
1 c. white wine
freshly ground black pepper
fennel fronds
big loaf of French bread, for sopping up the juices
In a large, wide, heavy skillet or frying pan (with a cover), melt the butter with the oil.  Sauté onion, garlic, & fennel until soft, ~5-10 minutes.  Add tomato and cook for another couple of minutes.  Add wine and mussels, then stir to coat.  Put the lid on your pan and steam for up to 10 minutes over medium-low heat (you may want to start checking your mussels after 3 or 4 minutes...different varieties may cook faster).    When all of the mussels are open, they are ready.  Discard any that do not open.  Grate some pepper over the whole dish and run your knife through the fennel fronds a few times, then add them to the pot.  Toss everything together, then divide amongst bowls and serve.  Use the bread for sopping up the wine-tinged, sea-scented juices.  Wash down with a bottle of wine.
This month's Cook the Books selection, Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard was chosen by one of our three CTB hosts, Johanna of Food Junkie not Junk Food.

I am sharing this post with:
cookthebooks HearthandSoulBadge-1 Tasty Tuesdays 33 shades of green delectabletuesday 5569196101_967c9f3b57_o PeppersTuesdaysTastyTidbits TastyTuesdayBB tastytuesdayfortheloveofblogs tuesdays at the table


Would you like to comment?

  1. oh! my mom sent me this book and i've been reading it as well :) i think it's one of those books any expat can relate to, especially if they've moved abroad for a partner. sometimes i've actually LOL'ed recalling similar situations that happened with me + my boyfriend.

    nice photography + a great recipe that you chose! looks scrumptious.

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  2. The more fennel the better!!! This sounds great :)

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  3. I can't believe I haven't read this book!

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  4. It looks delicious and I was just looking at mussels at the store yesterday--should've seen this before I went there! Like all that fennel in it. YUM! I will be checking out the book. Thanks for the great recipe and book review also.

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  5. There is nothing more romantic than foodie love. I have this book on my list to read too.

    Have you read Gabrielle Hamilton's book Blood, Bones and Butter? That's a must read too.

    Velva

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  6. ahhhh, I sooo want mussels now, this looks fab =]

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  7. I love seafood and fennel together. They are a perfect match. Unfortunately I am the only one in my house that loves them so I rarely make them, but these look good enough to devour on my own.

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  8. That first photo of the mussels just makes me want to dive into that bowl!

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  9. What a beautiful bowl - I'm diving right in after you!

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  10. So pleased to discover your yummy blog! Glad you are enjoying the book and the recipes. Your pics are so wonderful - I'm about to post a link on the Lunch in Paris facebook page. I think some readers might be intimidated by the idea of making mussels at home, but your photos are so convincing. Merci et bon appetit! Best, EB

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  11. Nothing says summer to me more than a big bucket of mussels. Loved the book, love the recipe - I've been making very similar for years. Yours are picture-summer-perfect and I'm ready for my bowl.

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  12. Sounds heavenly!! I want some now!

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  13. That book sounds amazing - you describe it so well. I'll definitely have to go and pick it up next time I'm out :) You take some gorgeous photos, and I love the sound of seafood and fennel together :) Definitely going to try it!

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  14. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and comment, EB!! And thanks for sharing your love story with us =)

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  15. I love mussels but usually I eat those buttered or adobo..

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  16. Great review Heather! I liked this book quite a bit, Heck, it's worth owning just for the recipes!

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  17. guess what, i never had mussels and I know I am missing something big!! This post of yours is definitely motivating me ;)
    Thanks for sharing it with Hearth and Soul Hop

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  18. Mmmmmmmmmmm! I have been craving mussels too! Love the recipe, white wine and garlic are a must - and fennel is inspired!

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  19. This is such a great dish for the book! I haven't had mussels in ages, must do something about that!

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  20. Ahh mussels...my favorite and we seldom see them here that look fresh enough to buy. These look delicious. With these and a loaf of bread I could die happy. ;-) A great pick for the book.

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  21. Your posts are delicious as always! I am so intimidated by mussels, but Elizabeth's recipe really tempted me. Glad you liked the book!

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  22. Your posts are delicious as always! I am so intimidated by mussels, but Elizabeth's recipe really tempted me. Glad you liked the book!

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  23. Living in the Midwest, I can safely say I have never cooked mussels (you know, freshness concerns and all that). Your pics and posts makes me want to relocate so I can have fresh mussels! Beautiful dish!

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  24. Ah yes, the kind of dish I can only dream about. If we ever did get some mussels here that were actually fresh, I would be cooking and eating them for myself. They are on the long list of things my husband will not touch. Will have to wait for a trip to mussel land.

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