How and how much to cook mussels

How to prepare mussels

If you're cooking fresh mussels in shells, sort them first. Throw away all copies with open doors or signs of damage, they may be damaged. When in doubt, place the mussels in the water. You can only cook those that sink to the bottom.

Rinse the mussels under running water. Remove dirt or algae residues from the surface, the easiest way is to do this with a stiff brush.

Cook frozen mussels without shells immediately after removing them from the freezer. The mussels in the shells can be thawed. To do this, transfer them from the freezer to the refrigerator a few hours before cooking. Be sure to rinse afterwards.

How much to cook mussels

Cooking time depends on the size of the seafood and how it looks. To get a tasty and juicy dish, cook:

• peeled, fresh frozen - 5-7 minutes;
• peeled boiled-frozen - 2-3 minutes;
• fresh in the sinks - 3-7 minutes;
• frozen in shells - 5-10 minutes;
• boiled and frozen in shells - 3-4 minutes.

Count down the cooking time after the water boils again.

Do not overcook the mussels, otherwise they will turn out tasteless. Immediately after cooking, discard in a colander or take out with a slotted spoon; you do not need to leave them in the broth.

If, after boiling, the mussels in the shells have not opened, it is better to throw them away.

How to cook mussels

Method 1

This method is suitable for fresh and frozen, in shells and peeled mussels. Boil water in a saucepan; one liter is enough per kilogram of product. Add salt and spices to taste, and garlic, herbs, and a slice of lemon as desired. You can also pour 200-250 ml of dry white wine into a saucepan. Dip the mussels in boiling water and cook over high to medium heat until tender.

Method 2

Fresh mussels in shells can be cooked differently. To do this, boil 100-150 ml of water for 500 g of mussels in a saucepan. Add some olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic. Place the mussels in a saucepan, cover and cook over medium-high heat. After about 1.5-2 minutes, shake the pan several times without lifting the lid.

Cook for 3-5 minutes in total, until the mussels open.