Pine Bough-Roasted Mussels
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, grated on a Microplane or very finely minced
- leaves from 8 sprigs fresh tarragon, chopped
- kosher salt
- 2 cups canola oil
- 4 to 6 pine boughs, enough to cover the grill surface
- 4 pounds mussels, thoroughly scrubbed and debearded (discard any that won't close)
- Mix the egg yolk, vinegar, garlic, tarragon and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl.
- Whisk to combine, then begin to add the canola oil in a slow, steady stream.
- Continue whisking as you add the oil and, remember, patience is the key.
- The sauce will thicken as you add the oil until it is a smooth mayonnaise; if it gets too thick, add a couple of drops of water to thin it out.
- Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve or up to 2 days (any longer than that, and the garlic flavor gets too strong).
- Place the pine boughs over a medium fire in which the coals have been spread out around the base grate.
- As soon as the pine begins to sizzle and release wisps of steam and smoke, scatter the mussels over the boughs and cover the grill.
- The pine will smolder and smoke, perfuming the mussels as they pop open.
- Uncover the grill and check them after 7 minutes.
- Remove the mussels that have opened, which should be most of them.
- Continue to cook those that havent opened for another 5 minutes or so.
- Discard any that insist on remaining closed.
- Place one of the charred pine boughs on a platter and pile the mussels around it.
- Provide toothpicks and serve them with a bowl of the aioli.
egg yolk, white wine vinegar, clove garlic, tarragon, kosher salt, canola oil, pine, mussels
Taken from www.foodrepublic.com/recipes/pine-bough-roasted-mussels-recipe/ (may not work)