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Epicurious
February 1999

Steamed Mussels with Pernod, Celery Root and Saffron Aïoli

Offer this main course with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the delicious saffron broth. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc is good here, too.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 6

Ingredients

For aioli

1

tablespoon hot water

Pinch of saffron threads, crumbled

2

/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise

2

garlic cloves, minced

For mussels

2

tablespoons olive oil

1

large celery root, peeled, finely chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)

1

large leek (white and pale green parts only), thinly sliced

2

carrots, peeled, finely chopped

2

celery stalks, finely chopped

6

tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

4

garlic cloves, minced

4

1/2 pounds mussels, scrubbed, debearded

1

1/2 cups dry white wine

1

/3 cup Pernod or other anise-flavored liqueur

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Make aioli:

    Step 1

    Combine 1 tablespoon hot water and saffron in medium bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Whisk in mayonnaise and garlic. Season to taste with salt. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

  2. Make mussels:

    Step 2

    Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add celery root, leek, carrots, chopped celery and 4 tablespoons parsley. Stir to coat. Cover pot and cook until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add mussels, wine and Pernod. Increase heat to high. Cover and cook until mussels open, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes (discard any mussels that do not open). Remove from heat. Season cooking liquid to taste with salt and pepper.

    Step 3

    Whisk 1/2 cup cooking liquid into aioli to make thin sauce. Ladle mussels and remaining cooking liquid into 6 bowls. Drizzle each serving with some aioli. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons parsley. Serve mussels, passing re-maining aioli separately.

Explore Bon AppétitPernodFrenchEuropeanMusselShellfishSeafoodCelery RootVegetableSaffronCarrotCeleryParsleyMainDinnerGluten-FreeNut-FreeEasySteamBon AppétitEpicurious