Instructions: Thoroughly scrub the mussels to remove all exterior sand and dirt. Place them in a large kettle along with the shallots, onions, parsley, salt, black pepper, cayenne, wine, butter, bay leaf and thyme. Cover. Bring to a boil. Simmer until the mussels have opened (5-10 minutes). Discard any mussels that do not open. Strain through a double thickness of cheesecloth into a saucepan. Remove the mussels from their shells. Discard the shells.

Set the mussel meat aside. Bring the liquid in the saucepan to a boil. Add the cream. Return to a boil. Immediately remove from the heat. Add the beaten egg yolk. Return to the heat only long enough for the soup to thicken slightly DO NOT BOIL! Stir in the Hollandaise sauce and add the mussel meat just before serving. Serve hot or cold.

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