Escargot Recipe In White Wine & Mushrooms

❕What Are Escargot?

They are snails which are land mollusks, and may not be something you even want to think about let alone eat. And if you haven't yet tried them, the idea may not be very appealing… but you may be surprised!

❤️About This Recipe

Escargot is a dish of cooked land snails, usually served as an appetizer in France and many other countries around the world.

In French restaurants, it is no secret that many people find snails to be a delicious starter to a meal, something of a delicacy, which makes them rather expensive.

In rural parts of France, it is not unusual to see locals wandering the roadside hedgerows searching for snails.

Escargot snails are often thought of as shellfish as people confuse them with water creatures because they have a hard shell. They are not completely wrong as land snails are mollusks like mussels or scallops. But, many sea snails are poisonous and should be steered clear of. But land snails sold in restaurants and grocery stores are selected by people who know what types taste good and are safe for consumption.

✨Great Shellfish Recipes To Make

Curious About Mussels?

Try these scrumptious classic recipes Mussels In White Wine, Mussels and Frites, Mussel Soup Recipe, or if you fancy the idea of learning how to cook sauteed scallops like the pros, you will be surprised how simple and divine they are!

Curious About Shrimp?

Shellfish fall into two categories mollusks and crustaceans, like shrimp, lobster, and crabs. France is a country on the Mediterranean Sea and therefore has access to these tasty shellfish. Here are some delicious shrimp recipes to make like my famous Shrimp Bisque Soup, Shrimp Fried Rice, a tasty, easy Shrimp App, or Coconut Curry With Shrimp.

🔢Instructions On How To Prepare Snails

But before they can be eaten live snails must be prepared properly.

Note: You can always choose the easy way and purchase canned or frozen snails.

1. The snails have to be purged

Like most mollusks, escargots are high in protein (as much as 15%) and low in fat (if cooked without butter), but in reality, they are about 80% water.

The snails are first prepared by purging them of the likely undesirable contents of their digestive systems.

The process used to accomplish this varies but generally involves a combination of fasting and purging or simply feeding them on a wholesome replacement like grape leaves, lettuce, apples, flour, or bran.

Something that will clean their system of the food they naturally consume which can be harmful to humans. The methods most often used can take several days.

Farms producing snails (Helix aspersa) for sale exist in Europe and the United States.

In the late 1980s, escargots represented a $300 million-a-year business in the US.

2. Further Purging

The snails are placed in a pot of cold water with some salt and a few drops of vinegar where the waste will be purged from their bodies.

3. Cleaned

With a sharp knife the snail foot is removed, which is the cover over the opening of the shell. Then they are placed in a pot with lots of cold water. Any snails that float are thrown out.

Then 2 or 3 snails are taken out and rubbed together by hand, set aside and the process is continued until all have been rubbed.

The water is discarded, the snails are placed back into the pot and filled again with lots of cold water, and the process is repeated.

Then the snails need to be rinsed very well.

4. Then cooked

Snails are usually cooked with garlic, butter, chicken stock, or wine.

5. Served

Often snails are placed back into their shells with the butter and sauce for serving.

Additional ingredients may be added, such as garlic, thyme, parsley, mushrooms, cheese, wine, or pine nuts.

OR

🔄Substitutions

• Buy canned snails at the grocery store!

1. Place them in a bowl, cover with cold water, and let the snails sit for several minutes to remove any flavor they may have picked up from the can.
2. Then, dry them well with paper towel or a clean kitchen towel before adding them to the recipe of your choice.

• Purchase frozen escargot ready to eat.

Escargot is considered a high-end appetizer that is served in fine dining establishments and can be quite pricey. Now you can prepare your French snail delicacy for less than half the price!