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Moules Frites – Belgian Mussels with French Fries (Oven Fries)

August 8, 2018 by Tara Leung 24 Comments

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Mussels are steamed with white wine, garlic, and leek and served with crispy oven fries in this Belgian bistro classic, moules frites. Ready in 30 minutes.

Moules Frites – Belgian Mussels with French Fries (Oven Fries) | WednesdayNightCafe.com

Hello readers,

No post last week since I have been so busy with wedding planning. Two weekends ago, my sister and my cousin took me on a very indulgent and luxurious bachelorette weekend outing. We had so much good food, I hope I have a chance to share some pics another time. The wedding is this Sunday, and we are very excited.

In the meantime, I am really happy to share this mussels recipe with you today. Just typing up this post makes me want to go out and buy mussels to make it again tonight. I understand cooking live seafood can be intimidating, but mussels are so quick and easy to prepare. If you buy farm-raised mussels, you don’t need to clean them. All you need to do is rinse them under cold water before cooking. Mussels are also much cheaper than clams and other shellfish.

Mussels and fries, or moules frites in French, is one of Belgium’s national dishes. Near Belgium’s northern coast, mussels were historically cheap and widely available, and fried potatoes were always popular across the country. I haven’t been to Belgium, but I’ve heard they serve the dish at pretty much every bar, bistro, and restaurant there. It is also very popular in France. There are many variations. The mussels can be steamed with white wine, beer, liquor, or just water, and with onions, shallots, garlic, or leek. Sometimes fresh cream is added to the sauce. Belgians generally dip the fries in mayonnaise rather than ketchup.

For my version, I cooked some leek and garlic in butter, then added white wine and steamed the mussels. For the fries, I went with none other than our favorite – oven fries.  Easier and healthier than deep-frying, but still crispy, we love oven fries. Regular readers will recall I’ve included them in other recipes.

Here are the main ingredients. I make one pound of mussels per person. Like any live seafood, I recommend you buy the mussels the same day you’re going to cook them. You can also see some minced garlic, leek, parsley, white wine, and russet potatoes that I cut into fry shapes.

Moules Frites – Belgian Mussels with French Fries (Oven Fries) | WednesdayNightCafe.com

The fries take longer than the mussels, so I started those first. While the fries were baking, I cooked the mussels.

Moules Frites – Belgian Mussels with French Fries (Oven Fries) | WednesdayNightCafe.com

Here are the fries. Make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan—that helps them get crispy.

Moules Frites – Belgian Mussels with French Fries (Oven Fries) | WednesdayNightCafe.com

Pour the liquid from the pot over the mussels right before serving. The cooking liquid with white wine, butter, leek, and garlic provides a light flavor that complements the taste of the mussels.

Moules Frites – Belgian Mussels with French Fries (Oven Fries) | WednesdayNightCafe.com
Are you interested in more recipes with oven fries?

Check these out!

Steak au Poivre (Peppercorn-Crusted) with Oven Fries

This is another great classic French bistro meal.

Lomo Saltado

Lomo Saltado (Beef and French Fry Stir Fry)| WednesdayNightCafe.com

Cornish Hen Under a Brick

Make sure to check this recipe if you want to use sweet potatoes for the fries instead of white potatoes.

Don’t forget some mayo to dip the fries!

Moules Frites – Belgian Mussels with French Fries (Oven Fries) | WednesdayNightCafe.com

Moules Frites – Belgian Mussels with French Fries (Oven Fries) | WednesdayNightCafe.com
4.67 from 3 votes
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Moules Frites – Belgian Mussels with French Fries (Oven Fries)

Mussels are steamed with white wine, garlic, and leek and served with crispy oven fries in this Belgian bistro classic, moules frites. Ready in 30 minutes.
Course Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine Belgian, French
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 1005 kcal
Author Tara Leung

Ingredients

Oven Fries

  • 2 large russet potatoes, peeled, cut into thin fries
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • mayonnaise for dipping

Steamed Mussels

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 leek, white and light green parts only, chopped
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 2 pounds mussels, rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Instructions

Oven Fries

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray 2 baking pans generously with cooking spray.
  2. Divide potatoes between the 2 pans. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over each pan. Season with salt and pepper. Toss potatoes so they get evenly coated with oil and seasoning. Lay out in a single layer on each pan.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip over and bake for 10-12 more minutes, until fries are browned and slightly crispy. While fries are baking, make the mussels. (If the fries are done before the mussels are ready, put them back in the oven for the last few minutes as you’re making the mussels to keep them hot and crispy.)

Steamed Mussels

  1. Melt butter over medium heat in a large skillet or pot that has a cover. Add leek and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook about 2 more minutes, until leek is soft and garlic is fragrant.
  2. Add wine and ½ cup water. Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Add the mussels and cover. Cook for 5 minutes.
  3. Remove mussels from the pot and place in serving bowl. Discard any mussels that do not open after cooking. Add the parsley to liquid in the pot and stir to combine. Pour the liquid over the mussels. Serve mussels with fries on the side and mayonnaise for dipping the fries.

Bon Appétit!

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Filed Under: Dinner, French, Recipes, Seafood Tagged With: fries, mussels, potatoes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. dikla frances

    August 20, 2018 at 10:06 pm

    I’m not sure what I want more….the fries or the mussels:)
    Love the leek and garlic addition, takes the whole meal to a different place!

    Reply
    • Tara

      August 21, 2018 at 9:29 pm

      No need to choose : ) And thanks!

      Reply
  2. Kelly Anthony

    August 21, 2018 at 9:24 am

    It’s fancy but also simple making it perfect for a date night at home. Thanks for the sharing the recipe.

    Reply
    • Tara

      August 21, 2018 at 9:30 pm

      Thanks Kelly!

      Reply
  3. Michelle

    August 21, 2018 at 9:44 am

    Shockingly my kids love mussels so now I will have to make them this over the weekend, thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Tara

      August 21, 2018 at 9:23 pm

      Hope your family enjoys!

      Reply
  4. Amanda Dixon

    August 21, 2018 at 2:43 pm

    Ohhh, I love mussels with tons of crusty bread for dipping. Your version looks delicious. I’ll definitely have to give it a try soon!

    Reply
    • Tara

      August 21, 2018 at 9:25 pm

      Thanks Amanda! Crusty bread is a close second to fries in our house : )

      Reply
  5. Stine Mari

    August 21, 2018 at 3:50 pm

    So simple, yet I love all the flavors in this! And congratulations on the wedding to come, it must be so exciting!

    Reply
    • Tara

      August 21, 2018 at 9:22 pm

      Thank you! The wedding went great–it was also exciting and restful to have our first cook at home date night as a married couple : )

      Reply
  6. Stacy Streuli

    August 21, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    I’m not a mussels fan, but my husband is and if you ever get to Zürich Switzerland I can recommend a place he loves for Moules Frites 🙂 Maybe I’ll give him your recipe to try and compare 😉

    Reply
    • Tara

      August 21, 2018 at 9:27 pm

      Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind!

      Reply
  7. Vanessa

    August 21, 2018 at 9:27 pm

    It’s so simple and delicious! I love mussels! The recipe looks so easy, thank you!

    Reply
    • Tara

      August 21, 2018 at 9:35 pm

      Thanks Vanessa, hope you get to try it!

      Reply
  8. Gloria

    August 22, 2018 at 2:51 pm

    I have not tried to prepare mussels at home. I do however make “non fried” french fries ALL the time. This looks like a great spin on fish and chips for dinner.

    Reply
    • Tara

      August 23, 2018 at 9:20 pm

      Thanks Gloria! I hope you get to try it, the mussels are so easy.

      Reply
  9. Linda

    August 24, 2018 at 12:25 am

    This combo! Well I’m heading to Belgium in a few weeks so I’ll keep you posted for their authentic taste; but I’m pretty sure this one is close enough to their authentic flavors. Yum!

    Reply
    • Tara

      August 24, 2018 at 11:15 am

      That’s awesome. Hope you enjoy Belgium and all the food : )

      Reply
  10. Adriana Lopez Martin

    August 24, 2018 at 12:25 pm

    I grew up eating mussels and dipping toast in the garlicky juice but have never thopugh of adding a nice portion of crispy fries this is a great idea and so heavenly yummy!

    Reply
    • Tara

      August 25, 2018 at 8:32 am

      Thanks Adriana!

      Reply
  11. Jacqueline Debono

    August 25, 2018 at 10:33 am

    I loved eating moules-frites in Belgium but have never made it! Have to try. Congratulations on your wedding!

    Reply
    • Tara

      August 26, 2018 at 8:36 am

      Thank you! Hope you get to try it!

      Reply
  12. Stephanie Simmons

    August 25, 2018 at 9:24 pm

    I’ve never had mussels! I may just have to give it a shot one of these days! I DO, however, love homemade fries 🙂

    Reply
  13. Chef Mireille

    August 28, 2018 at 1:23 pm

    perfect dinner – very French bistro style – totally brings me back to my Parisian trip a few years ago

    Reply

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About Wednesday Night Cafe

  Hi, I’m Tara. This blog is where I share my recipes for special dinners. When I discover a new dish while traveling or come across something creative while dining out, I just have to recreate the recipe at home. I also love cooking my own versions of classic dishes. If you're new here, ...

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