Mussels Sailor Style (Moules Mariniere) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lbs fresh mussels
2 1/2 ounces butter
4 shallots (or small onions)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
12 ounces dry white wine
1 bouquet garni (small piece of celery, small slice of carrot, sprig of fresh parsley, bay leaf tied together with co)
salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Preparation

Place mussels in bowl and cover with cold water.
Discard any that are open or cracked.
Scrub under cold running water and remove beards.
Melt butter in a large pot, stir in shallots and garlic and saute gently until soft.
Add wine and bouquet garni.
Bring to a boil for 2 minutes.
Add a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste.
Add mussels and cover pot.
Cook over high heat until mussels open.
Remove mussels from pot with a slotted spoon, set aside (keep warm).
Discard any mussels that did not open.
Boil the remaining liquid (with bouquet garni) until reduced to half, then return mussels to the pan and heat through.
Sprinkle with parsley and stir.
Place mussels into a warmed serving dish and pour liquid over top.
Serve.