How To Eat Mussels In Best Ways

Mussels are mollusks with two hinged shells. The shells have a purpose, they protect their internal soft tissue, or meat. These shells are oval-shaped, dark in color and smooth and they close tightly to protect the soft, moist and pale-colored mussel inside. The color of both shells and meat varies depending on their diet and environment.

Mussels are found almost everywhere in coastal areas, they survive on the surfaces like rocks or piers using their beard. They often feed on plankton and other microscopic organisms of the sea, which provides them mild, briny flavor.

Mussels are a type of seafood with a distinct and delicate sea-flavor, but, many people find it mild and not overwhelming. As with any other mollusk, they absorb the essence of the sea, giving them a subtle briny taste that comes from the marine salt in the environment they live in.

This characteristic, not overpowering oceanic flavor, makes mussels a great choice for those who may not enjoy stronger, fishier tastes other seafood possess.

Texture

The texture of mussels is tender yet mildly chewy, every bite is pleasant, without being tough or rubbery. If you have ever had some other shellfish, then you might picture mussels as feeling slimy, but this is not quite true. Mussels have a smooth, firm texture that remains clean and satisfying. Once cooked properly, you will enjoy soft and succulent mussels with balanced chewiness.

As they don't have a strong taste of their own, their most appealing quality becomes their ability to absorb the flavors of the recipes they are used in. You can steam them in a fragrant white wine broth, cook them in a garlic butter sauce, or add them to a rich tomato-based dish, whichever way they are cooked, mussels take on the seasoning and liquid around them, enhancing their flavor.

Due to this versatility, they are ideally suited to a wide variety of dishes.

The only way to know if mussels are good enough to eat is to analyze whether they are alive. Yes, you heard it right, other seafood might be edible even when they don't meet this criteria but mussels should not be dead at the time of cooking.

When you are in to purchase mussels, it becomes important to observe their shells. If they are tightly closed, this is a key indicator of their freshness.

However, if a mussel looks slightly or fully open, find a surface and tap it there. If it closes automatically, consider it a good sign-it means the mussel is still alive and fresh. If it doesn't close, you should discard it, as it may no longer be safe to eat.

The most common method of cooking mussels is steaming, whether in high-end restaurants or at home kitchens. When cooked with white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, the combination becomes the best. The recipe is simple, just follow the steps below:

1. Mussels: Take fresh mussels. For preparing, once you bring them home, debeard them, most mussels have beards that can be seen from outwards. The debearding process does not require extra tools, just use your hands to pull them out. The mussels should be then rinsed well to get off all dirt, for the ones that seem too sandy, use a firm brush to clean them.
2. Broth: Broths like seafood broth or any other broth works well in the recipe.
3. White Wine: White wine is used as the base of the broth. The crisp and acidic flavor of wine perfectly intensifies the natural brineness of the mussels.
4. Garlic and Shallot: The garlic cloves are finely chopped and shallots are thinly sliced.

First, chopped garlic and thinly sliced shallot are sauteed in the butter, to which, white wine and broth are added. On boiling, the fresh mussels are dumped into the cooking pot and the whole mix is allowed to steam for about 10 to 12 minutes. The dish is then completed with a garnish of herbs, cram or lemon juice.

Enjoying delicious mussels may seem to be intimidating, common when you are eating them for the first time. However, once you excel in it, it becomes a delightful experience. The few easy steps that need to be done to enjoy mussels properly are pointed out below:

As the mussels are cooked with their shells intact, the first thing to do is get rid of the shell. To access the internal meat, we first break the mussel shell into halves. You will find the cooked mussels opened up, revealing the tender mussels inside. All you need to do is, using your hands, pry apart the two halves of the shell in a gentle manner.

After breaking, you will find the mussel attached to one of the shells. You need to detach it in order to enjoy the meat.

A fork can come in handy to remove the mussel from the shell. The sides that are attached to the shells need to be loosened first in a gentle manner, the mussel should easily come free.

Once the mussel gets separated, you can eat it directly with the fork, if you want to eat clean without making a mess. The broth that settles at the bottom makes the perfect dip, it adds more flavor to the mussels, making each bite juicy.

The empty shell that remains after eating mussel can be used as a tool. For this, you have to grip the back of the discarded shell with the open side facing out. After that, using your fingers, use the shell as a "tweezer", apply gentle pressure to the top and bottom of the shell, and pick mussels from their shells.

In most restaurants, mussels are served with pieces of crusty bread. The bread makes soaking of broth easier.

Whenever you complete eating mussels, dip the bread into the broth and enjoy the savory, aromatic taste it absorbs. This is especially satisfying if you have a generous amount of broth left after finishing the mussels.

How To Eat Broth?

The flavorful broth is an essential part of the mussel experience. Don’t skip it—sop up the broth with bread or drink it directly from the bowl to enjoy the full flavors.

Dont's:

• Avoid mussels with cracked shells, the chance that such mussels are contaminated is high.
• Avoid mussels that don't open on cooking as they, the ones that remain closed, are likely dead.
• If the mussels have a bad odor, instead of a fresh, briny one, don't consume them.
• At a formal dining experience, instead of hands, use a fork or seafood utensils to eat the mussels.

Many dishes benefit from the presence of mussels, from pastas to different curries, some popular ones are listed below:

Mussels with Pasta

Like any other seafood, mussels can be paired with pasta, and it makes a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy these mollusks. The preparation takes only a few steps, first, you need to prepare the pasta of your choice- spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine, any of them can work well. The mussels are cooked classically, in garlic, white wine, and some herb sauce, which is then tossed with the pasta. 

The pasta in the recipe completely gets infused with the seafood flavor of briny, tender mussels. If you want a richer sauce or creamy pasta, you can also add a touch of cream. 
Complete with a garnish of your choice and for serving, you can go with a side of crusty bread as usual. It will be perfect to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Moules Frites

Moules Frites is a beloved Belgian dish, and to make it simple it is mussels combined with crispy fries. The mussels are cooked first, by steaming in any of the sauces.

After that, as the mussels are cooked, they are served with a generous portion of crispy, golden fries on the side. The rich and aromatic sauce is the star of the dish and as a whole the dish makes a satisfying meal.

If you want to follow that Belgian ritual, serve it with Belgian beer or a crisp white wine, they pair perfectly with this dish. 

Baked Stuffed Mussels

Moving to a more indulgent preparation, baked stuffed mussels are a great choice when you want to try something except the traditional recipe. For this, you need to remove mussels from their shells, and as the meat gets exposed, it is combined with breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and lemon zest.

The mixture prepared is then spooned back into the mussel shells and baked until golden and crispy on top. The result comes out magical as a savory, melt-in-your-mouth treat. This recipe is perfect if you want to prepare appetizers or a special main dish.

In Different Sauces

There are different sauces in which mussels can be prepared. The most loved one is the white wine-based but for some extra taste, mussels can also be cooked in a variety of sauces, each bringing out different flavors.

One of the varieties of sauces that is well known is tomato-based sauce with olives, capers, and basil.

Also, for the ones who prefer a creamy variation, a mussel dish with rich cream and saffron sauce is best. This luxurious option can be perfect for special occasions.

Moreover, to prepare a Thai-inspired mussel dish, for those who enjoy a bit of spice and some out-of-box recipe, you can opt for the mix of coconut milk, lime, and chili peppers. This dish is not only on the spicy side but is equally fragrant and tangy.

The convenience stores have made mussels available year-round, but it's important to know that their peak season is between October to March. During winter, the taste is said to be best as they grow more plumper and sweeter.

As the summer begins, the spawning time of the mussels starts, and during this time, it has been observed that they become more watery and less meaty. Therefore, for enjoying fresh mussels, winter is the prime time.

Canned mussels, like any other canned fish, are a life savior! It is a good replacement for fresh ones, especially when you are looking for an easier and more convenient meal option. 

While they are in cans, they get marinated for a long time in the broth used for canning. This helps them get rich in flavors. This is quite opposite to the flavors fresh ones possess which are often on the milder side. Also, when fresh mussels are unavailable or you’re short on time, canned mussels work well on any recipe.

Canned mussels are shelf-stable, and unlike the fresh ones, you don't have to worry about stocking them up for future use. They can be enjoyed in many ways, some of which include:

• Canned mussels are edible once they are cooked. The preferred methods of making them are steaming or cooking in dishes like moules marinières (mussels in white wine, garlic, and herbs).
• Additionally, canned mussels are commonly used in pickling marinades like Escabeche.
• Canned mussels are also a popular ingredient in Mediterranean tapas.

Overall, canned mussels are a great pantry staple when you don't want to compromise on flavors of winter mussels or for busy cooks.

The nutritional profile of mussels is quite impressive. Some of the key benefits that come with consuming mussels are as follows:

High in Protein

Mussels are an excellent source of lean protein. 100 grams of this seafood has around 24g of lean protein, making it a perfect choice of food on a protein diet. This is 72% of total macronutrients present in mussels.

Moreover, this protein content is more than that in beef and a fillet of steak.

Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

If we look at the studies, it has been found that consuming mussels three times a week can help meet the daily required value of omega-3 fatty acids. Also, this amount is way more than that found in shrimps, lobsters or clams.
 
The heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids have many advantages, they help to keep the function of body cells optimal and also improve brain health.

For individuals who want to increase their omega-3 intake, mussels can be a good food choice.

Vitamins

Mussels are a good source of several important vitamins. Vitamins B12, A and C are the ones present prominently

So, looking at the function of these vitamins, mussels are good for the immune system, eyes and skin whereas the presence of B12 also makes it an important food that helps to maintain the normal red blood cell level and optimal nerve function.

Minerals

Mussels are rich in minerals like iron, zinc, selenium and calcium. So consuming mussels is related to balanced levels of red blood cells in the body, proper wound healing, and vitality of cells.

Calcium on the other hand is good for bones and muscles.

Low in Calories

Mussels are low in calories, 100 grams of mussels just has about 172 calories. As they have high-quality protein and healthy fats, we can call them nutrient-dense food as well. 

For people wanting to lose weight, these factors can make mussels your weight-loss companion. Low in carbs and extremely healthy, these mollusks can help you shed the number of pounds you are wishing for.