Mussels Mariniere

4 pt Mussels
1 c Dry white wine
1 tb Scallion; chopped
1 Sprig parsley
1/2 Garlic clove
1 sm Bay leaf
1/8 ts Thyme
Ground pepper; several gratings
3 tb Butter or margarine
Salt to taste
1 tb Parsley; chopped


Scrubbed mussel shells with a stiff brush, wash well. Place shells in a kettle with wine, scallion, parsley, garlic, bay leaf, thyme and pepper. Cover kettle tightly and cook over high heat until shells open, about 5 minutes. Remove mussels from the kettle. Take off top shells and place mussels in a deep heated dish or tureen. Strain stock and cook over high flame until reduced by 1/3 its original quantity. Add butter and salt to taste; heat through. Pour over mussels in tureen. Add chopped parsley for garnish. Serve in deep soup plates or small casseroles and eat the mussels directly from the shell. Serves 4 to 6.