Mussels Josephine

NcMysteryShopper's Note:

This recipe is my version of a very popular mussel dish from my favorite restaurant! The ingredient that makes this recipe so wonderful is the Sambuca, so do not leave it out! I have substituted Pernod and thought that was wonderful as well. Can be served as an appetizer or a main dish. Make sure you have plenty of crusty bread because you will want every last drop of the sauce! Enjoy! Wine Pairing: Domaine de l'Ecu Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie 2003 with its yellow apple, lemon zest, pear and Macadamia nuts and light but creamy body is a wonderful match to the dish.

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 12 mins
• Cook Time: 8 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 2

• 3 dozen fresh prince edward mussels (about 2 pounds)
• 4 ounces chopped yellow onions
• 2 ounces chopped garlic
• 14 ounces chopped tomatoes, juice and all (canned organic tomatoes can be substituted)
• fresh basil
• 2 ounces sambuca romana or 2 ounces ouzo or 2 ounces Pernod
• 1/2 lemon, juice of
• parsley, garnish

Lemon Butter Sauce (use 3/4 cup)

• 1/4 cup real butter
• 2 tablespoons minced yellow onions
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons dry white wine
• kosher salt or sea salt
• white pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons cold butter

Directions:

1. Coat a hot skillet with melted butter. Add the fresh Prince Edward mussels to the skillet, and cover. The steam will cook the mussels, along with the heat of the pan. It will take about 1-2 minutes to cook the mussels. You'll know when they're done when the mussels begin to open.
2. Next, add into the pan: 4 oz chopped onions, 2 oz chopped garlic, 14 oz chopped tomatoes.
3. Add 2 ounces of sambuca (licorice flavored liquor) - let the alcohol cook off, then add fresh basil, lemon juice and lemon butter sauce to the pan. Cook for 45 seconds.
4. Discard any mussels that did not open. Serve in a large bowl, topped with fresh chopped parsley.
5. Lemon Butter Sauce.
6. Melt butter over low heat;remove from heat and let sit until the milk solids settle to the bottom; skim the clear butter from the top; discard the sediment.
7. Sauté onion and garlic in 2 tbs of the clarified butter until transparent.
8. Stir in lemon juice and white wine and season with salt and pepper.
9. Simmer 2-3 minutes to reduce liquid.
10. Remove from heat and swirl in cold butter until sauce is smooth and butter is melted.

Reviews

[Chef #1313029]

If you like Bonefish's Mussels Josephine you should really try this recipe. My wife and I think its the exact recipe. I used a tiny airline size bottle of Sambuca instead of buying a regular bottle.

[thefishingal]

I made this last night and my husband said they tasted just like the recipe from the restaurant which is also our favorite place to eat. We did replace the sambuca with anisette. When we were dining at the restaurant I asked the waitress what that fabulous taste in the dish was. She asked the cook who told us it was Bols Anisette. We could not find that specific brand so we used another brand. Anyway, the recipe was wonderful. Will try the bang bang shrimp tonight. Thanks!

[Mama's Kitchen (Hope)]

AMAZING, ROMANTIC, OMG Everyone should try this recipe! What a great way to celebrate any special occasion, Valentines Day, Anniversary or just being with the one (s) you love. You gotta love them though or you will NOT share ANY! IT is THAT good! This sauce would be really amazing on pasta and was so delish I was slurping it up like mad! Next time I think I will double it- just bc it was so amazing! There was plenty there for the mussels and the tons of bread I dipped into it! BUT MAN OH MAN the sauce is SOO GOOOD! You just want more and more! I used a pint- 16 oz- of home grown home canned tomatoes - instead of the 14 oz but that was the only thing I did differently. DEFINITELY add the liquor- it really adds to this dish! The tomatoes and garlic and onions ~ oh my! The only flaw in this dish is that I couldnt get enough of it- even tho I HURT myself I ate so much- it is so outstanding you just want MORE! Superior, Amazing, Outstanding, ooo somebody get me a Thesaurus! I could go on and on! Thanks for sharing this fantastic recipe Cheryl! you should be very proud to call it yours! This is so "lick the bowl good!" I will be making this again and again!