How to cook mussels? Sooner or later, everyone asks this question. Mussels are mollusks that are eaten. Dishes with them are very nutritious, primarily due to the high content of protein, fats and carbohydrates in meat. In addition, mussels are a source of protein, iron, phosphorus, as well as a variety of vitamins that strengthen human immunity. In fact, this is such a product from which you can cook many different dishes: dumplings, salads, pilaf. You can also try boiling mussel soup or cook peppers stuffed with shellfish . Low calorie meat can be considered dietary.
The type and taste of the dish, first of all, depends on the method of its preparation. Consider the simplest methods - frying and cooking.
Simple cooking methods. Most often, mussels are fried, because under the influence of high temperature the shell of the mussel opens, after which its meat can be eaten. How to fry mussels and how much time is everyone's personal business.
If we are talking about cooking mussels, you should clearly outline the stages of this process. First you need to brush the shells with a brush with rough bristles, then put the mussels in the pan and pour water. Water should cover them a little, because when opening the shells, the mussels will release additional fluid from themselves. After the boil begins, mussels should be cooked for several minutes. For taste, as a rule, onions, wine, garlic and so on are added. Drain and enjoy boiled mussels!
How to choose mussels? If you want to benefit exclusively from this food, you should first of all think not about how to cook mussels, but about how to choose them correctly! Prefer whole, tightly closed sinks. Note also that the shell should not be too light or too heavy (excessive severity indicates the presence of a large amount of sand in the shell, insufficient - that the mollusks are already inanimate). Live mussels can be stored in the refrigerator for another 2-3 days after purchase. In the refrigerator, they are laid out in one layer and covered with a damp cloth. Another aspect that is highlighted is the color of the shell. It can be green, blue, black, depending on the type of product.
If the mussels were assembled with their own hands. How to cook mussels that have been collected with your own hands? Before answering this question, we draw your attention to the fact that you need to be sure that the water in the zone of growth of mollusks is ecologically clean. In the field of view there should be no places for the discharge of wastewater, construction sites, shipping. The safest places are sand spits, pitfalls, mussel banks. And such mollusks are prepared in the same way as store ones.
How to clean shells from mussels? Mussel shells are cleaned of algae, silt and sand under cold water with a knife. After removing the threads by which the mollusks were attached to the support, open shells should be discarded, since they can no longer be eaten. If the shell is slightly ajar, tap on it - if the clam is alive, the wings will close.
What to cook with mussels? How to cook mussels is understandable. But in what dishes can I use this seafood? Among the most popular culinary solutions are mussels with vegetables and pilaf from mussels.
Mussels with vegetables. Cooked mussels are combined with pickled cucumbers and bell peppers. Slaw cabbage, garlic, salt, lemon juice, spices and sauce are added to this. The contents of the cooking container are thoroughly mixed and seasoned with vegetable oil.
Pilaf from mussels. First, mussels need to be boiled. Then, chopped carrots are fried in butter, followed by the addition of finely chopped onions and rice. All this is poured with two glasses of water (the one in which the clams were cooked). Tomato paste, salt and spices to taste are added to the composition. Pilaf is boiled over low heat. Mussels are added a few minutes before being cooked for rice.
Good luck in your culinary endeavors!