Mussel & chive omelette

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SERVES 2

50ml (3½ tbsp) dry white wine

1 thyme sprig

16 fresh mussels, scrubbed

3 tbsp double (heavy) cream

1 tbsp snipped chives

4 eggs

salt and freshly ground pepper

clarified butter (see Scrambled eggs ‘magda’ on fried bread), optional

Put the wine, thyme and mussels in a small saucepan, cover tightly and cook for a few minutes until the mussels have steamed open. Shell them immediately and place in a bowl, discarding any mussels that have not opened. Strain the juices through a muslin-lined sieve into a small clean pan, to eliminate any sand.

Simmer the mussel juices over a low heat until reduced by half, then add the cream and let it bubble until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Turn off the heat, add the chives and mussels, and keep warm (but not hot).

Beat the eggs in a bowl, season lightly and use to make an omelette. Half-roll it, then add the creamy mussels and push them into the middle with a spoon. Roll the omelette and slide it on to a warm large plate. To make it look even more appetising, you could brush it with a little clarified butter.