Salade de Moules aux Haricots Verts
Mussel Salad with Green Beans

Serves 4

salt
1 pound string beans, trimmed
1 tomato
1 1/2 pounds mussels
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 shallots, peeled and chopped fine
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup Vinaigrette (see below)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1. Bring 2 quarts of salted water to the boil, add the string beans,
and cook until tender - about 4 minutes. Drain the beans and plunge
them into ice water to cool them. Drain them again and set them aside.

2. Cut a conical plug from the stem end of the tomato and discard.
Blanche the tomato in boiling water for 10 seconds, drain it under cold
water and peel off the skin. Cut the tomato in half, squeeze out and
discard the juice and seeds, and chop the pulp in 1/4-inch cubes.

3. Squeeze each mussel in your hand, pushing the top and bottom of the
shelf in opposite directions, and discard those that open. Scrub the
mussels to remove the beards, and wash them in 2 or 3 changes of water.

4. In a large pot, melt the butter. Add half the chopped shallots and
sauté them lightly for 2 minutes. Add the mussels and the wine, and
cook, covered, over high heat until the mussels open - about 3 minutes.

5. Remove the mussels from the shells. Remove the small tough membrane
from each of the mussel meats. In a bowl, mix the string beans,
mussels, diced tomato, and the remainder of the shallots with the
Vinaigrette.

6. Serve sprinkled with the chopped parsley.


Vinaigrette
Basic Vinaigrette

Yield: 1 cup

1 ample tablespoon chopped onion
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup vinegar, tarragon vinegar preferred
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper, fresh ground
2 drops Tabasco sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup peanut oil (or another salad oil)

1. In a bowl, crush the chopped onion to a purée with a fork. Add the
mustard, vinegar, salt, pepper, and Tabasco, and whisk until blended.

2. Beat the oils gradually. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Note: This vinaigrette may be prepared in advance. But, if it is, omit
the onion. Just before serving, add the onion. Then thoroughly mix
again.

--
Starchless in Manitoba.