Two Fat Ladies’ Broiled “Mussels Casino”

Ingredients

• 4
  
  pints mussels
  
• 6
  
  tablespoons white bread crumbs
  
• 4
  
  tablespoons chopped parsley
  
• 2
  
  garlic cloves, chopped finely
  
• 2
  
  tablespoons chopped fresh chives
  
• 2/3
  
  cup olive oil
  
• 
  
  salt and freshly ground pepper
  

Directions

1. Wash and scrape the mussels throughly under cold running water and remove the beards. Put mussels in a pan, without any water, and heat until the shells open. (Any that main unopened must be discarded.) Discard the empty shells and split open the ones that have already partially opened. Arrange the mussels, in the bottom shell halves, in a cooking tray.
2. Mix together the breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, chives, olive oil, salt,, and pepper. Spoon the mixture over each mussel and leave for about half an hour before cooking.
3. Put the mussels under a preheated broiler for just a few minutes (start with 2-3) to brown the crumb mixture and form a crust over the mussels. Try not to overcook.