Steamed Mussels In White Wine - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 c. dry white wine
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice or white-wine vinegar (omit if your wine is very acidic)
2 Tbsp. finely chopped shallots
1 tsp. cracked black pepper
4 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus 1/4 c. chopped
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme (omit if fresh isn't available)
4 lb. medium mussels, sorted and cleaned
4 Tbsp. cold unsalted butter (optional)

Preparation

Heat the wine, lemon juice, shallots, pepper, parsley sprigs, bay leaf and thyme in a pot that's big enough to accomodate the mussels when their shells have opened. Bring to a
boil. Add the mussels and cover. Steam until the shells open (5 to 8 minutes), shaking the pan once or twice during cooking.