Mussles

[{Dakota}]

I really like mussles bt I've only ever had them in a restaurant. I'm thinking about cooking them myself but need some ideas about what to cook them in. I am led to believe that it can be dangerous if you don't cook them properly, true? Are they ready when they have naturally opened?

Thanks :)

[gastwo]

Make sure they are tightly closed before you cook them. Bring them to a rapid boil in a minimum amount of white wine/fish stock/water, your choice, plus chopped shallot or onion. When the shells are open they are cooked.

Thats very basic. Lots of variations involving cream, butter, herbs, etc.etc.

We have done them on the beach over a driftwood fire, cooked in an old washed up olive oil tin - cooked in sea water and just wild garlic leaves for flavouring. Fantastic!

[shaneystar2]

Don't forget to scrub and debeard the mussels to remove any sand or dirt on the shell. Holding it under cold water, scrub each mussel�s shell with a stiff-bristled brush, and pull the beards off.Ones from a supermarket are usually already cleaned but if you buy them from a fishmarket as we do here then they do need a good clean first.We don't want any gritty bits !!!

[Royal Pollen]

All this is good but the most important bit is to 'MAKE SURE THEY'RE ALIVE!'

They quickly become toxic when they die. dont let this put u off as there's a very simple method of finding out if they're alive. When they've been sitting around for a bit in a bowl or wherever they'll open. give them a sharp tap and they'll close. THE'YRE ALIVE!!!! IF THEY DONT CLOSE, THEY'RE DEAD AND DONT COOK THEM!!!!!!! sOME

[Royal Pollen]

Ooopps. Not sure what happened there.

Anyway, some wont open in the bowl so cook (steamed open for 30 secs to 1min in some wine and shallots is good or fennel and pernod, make up what u think might taste nice) them and if any still dont open after this steaming/cooking then luz those in the bin too.

Enjoy and dont forget to get some crusty bread and use the 1st mussel shell as twezzers to remove the rest.

[Ward-Minter]

daks the ones you can buy in sainsbury's (maybe other stores aswell) in a vacuum pack are actually very good. You are guaranteed no saand, no grit, no bad ones. I would opt for these. Follow instructions on packet. Easy peasy japanesy.

PS Why did the shrimp go to the doctors after getting lucky at a disco?

Cos he pulled a muscle. Get it??

[{Dakota}]

{groan} thank you Wardy!

[stormin]

If the shrimp had gone to church instead it could have been because he was a prawn again christian!!!

[Ward-Minter]

no stormin. Shrimps don't go to church. Silly

[andrewlee]

After you've cooked them, discard any that haven't opened, and don't try and get the mussel out - it'll be no good!