With garlic and white wine, these mussels are a romantic treat.

Ingredients

* 4 lbs. mussels
* 1/4 C. olive oil
* 2 garlic cloves, chopped
* 2 green onions, chopped
* 2 sprigs fresh thyme
* 2 Tbs. chopped parsley
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 C. dry white wine
* slices of Italian bread

Directions

Soak the mussels in cold water for 30 minutes. Cut off the beards. Discard any mussels with cracked shells. Pour the oil into a large saucepan. Add the garlic, green onions, thyme, parsley and and bay leaf. Cook over medium heat until the onions are tender, 2 minutes. Add the mussels and wine. Cover and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer the opened mussels to individual serving bowls. Cook any mussels that remaining closed a minute or two longer. Discard any that don't open. Simmer the liquid for 1 more minute and pour it over the mussels. Serve hot with bread.

Serves 4.

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