In this special weekly feature, TODAY food editor Phil Lempert brings you recipes “stolen” (with permission) from notable restaurants across America. See how much fun you can have (and money you can save) by cooking these dishes at home.
THIS WEEK: We bring you a great recipe for mussels, courtesy of chef Simon Glenn of Metro Marché in New York City. A simple criterion for choosing good live mussels is to see if they are tightly shut when in the air; open mussels are dead and should be discarded. Mussel shells open by themselves when cooked, and they’re a great part of the presentation of a seafood dish.
left/msnbc/Components/Photos/070822/070822_tdy_simon_bcol_745.jpg2667100000leftfalse#000000http://msnbcmedia.msn.comfalse1PfalsefalsefalsefalseAbout the chef: Chef Simon Glenn describes himself as a self-taught chef whose influences come from all areas of the world. Growing up on a farm outside of Santa Cruz, Calif., chef Glenn developed a passion for food. While his father cooked for oceanographers on a boat, his mother used fresh ingredients at home to make goat cheese, yogurt, jam and more, passing her passion for food on to her son at a young age.
By the time he was a teenager, chef Glenn knew that he wanted to pursue a culinary career. Although a move to New Orleans forced him to drop out of college, leaving school did not deter his drive to become a great chef. While traveling abroad in France and Thailand, he became skilled in the techniques indigenous to both countries. Upon his return to the States, he found himself in New York City, honing his skills for Asian fare.
As executive chef at Metro Marché, chef Glenn showcases his expertise and creativity in the French culinary arts. He has created an accessible menu that includes both classic and adventurous Parisian cuisine.
Metro Marché
625 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10018
(212) 239-1010
www.metromarche.com
Portuguese Mussels is served at Metro Marché for $15.95. The recipe is for a serving size of two.
Want to nominate your favorite restaurant dish for a “Steal This Recipe” feature? Just e-mail Phil at Phil.Lempert@nbc.com (or use the mail box below) with the name of the restaurant, city and state, and the dish you would like to have re-created. Want to know more about Phil and food? Visit his Web site at www.supermarketguru.com.