GRATIN OF MUSSELS WITH CAMEMBERT
(serves 6 as a starter)

Ingredients

¨       2 Lb cleaned mussels
¨       1 tablespoon olive oil
¨       1 chopped shallot
¨       1 clove garlic
¨       6 fl oz dry white wine
¨       Salt and freshly milled black pepper

For the sauce

¨       9 oz under-ripe camembert, de-rinded and cubed
¨       2 oz fresh breadcrumbs
¨       finely chopped parsley
¨       2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the shallots and garlic and cook gently until soft.

Turn the heat to high and add the mussels, wine and some salt and pepper, cover and cook on a medium heat for 5 mins until they have all opened.

When they are cooked, pull away the top shell and discard along with non-opened mussels. Arrange the mussels in their ½ shells on a baking tray.

Place ½ teaspoon of the cooking liquid in each shell.

Place a small cube of Camembert on each mussel.

In a bowl combine the breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic and seasoning and sprinkle over the mussels.

Pre-heat a grill to it's highest setting and place mussels under this. Watch them carefully for 2 - 3 minutes and remove as soon as the cheese bubbles and the top has turned golden brown.

Serve with fresh crusty bread