Looking for some guide to cleaning and cooking mussels? Got you covered. Mussels are a popular shellfish meal that can be prepared in a variety of ways. You can steam, grill, boil, or roast them. Before cooking mussels, however, they must be well cleaned to remove any dirt, sand, or debris. It is also critical to take the necessary procedures to avoid potential foodborne illnesses.
Cleaning mussels may appear to be a difficult task. But it is actually a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. Simply follow these simple instructions to clean and cook mussels for a tasty seafood meal.
PREPARING MUSSELS
Want you would want are the cleanest and freshest mussels to cook. One of the first step is to check the mussels if they are safe to prepare.
Search for broken or cracked mussels in the bed and discard them. Mussels that are open and do not close when tapped should also be removed. These are already dead and must be thrown away. Dead or infected mussels will also smell bad and possibly have a sticky surface. They are not safe for consumption anymore. Clams and mussels that are still alive instantly close their shells. If they close slowly, this is a sign that the shellfish has been stored for a bit too long. They may not be at their best, but they are still tasty.
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After sorting the mussels, scrub them using a brush under cold running water. Ensure to scrape off any barnacles using a knife. Any remaining debris or barnacles that may be adhered to the shells can be cleaned off with a brush with firm bristles. Be careful to thoroughly scrub the shells, giving close attention to the hinge area where the two shells meet.
Mussels attach themselves to a surface using their “beards,” or byssus threads. It is the fibrous tuft that protrudes from the shell. After scrubbing the mussels, pinch the stringy beard and drag it away from the top of the shell to the bottom hinge. To do this, hold the mussel firmly in one hand and cut the beard off as close to the shell as possible with kitchen scissors or a tiny knife.
Rinsing mussels
After cleansing and removing the beards, the mussels should be rinsed thoroughly. Place them in a colander and rinse with cold water to remove any leftover debris or sand. This ensures that the mussels are clean and ready to cook.
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The keeping quality of mussels deteriorates much quicker after death. For this reason, they must be cooked immediately. Otherwise, store them in the coldest part of the refrigerator. To do this, you must also keep them moist. Place them in a container or bowl and them lightly cover them with a damp paper or cloth. It is better if are kept on ice and covered with a moist cloth. Just ensure that the storage temperature is between 32°F (0°C) and 45°F (7°C). Furthermore, If you wish to keep them, use salt water, not tap water. For some sea creatures, like clams, this even helps them by allowing them to clean themselves of any leftover sand.
For the freshest flavor, it is recommended to cook the mussels within a day or two after cleaning them.
COOKING MUSSELS
You must get your cooking liquid ready before you can begin boiling the mussels. This might be just sauce with tomatoes, herbs, and spices or a straightforward broth made with white wine, garlic, and butter. Steamed mussels in garlic butter and white wine broth is a definite classic. But whatever you decide, make sure there is enough liquid in the saucepan to cover the mussels. For added flavor, you can also include veggies like onions, carrots, and celery. As soon as the cooking liquid is prepared, you may start prepping your mussels.
When ready, add the mussels to the pot and cover with a lid. Avoid removing mussels from the pot as soon as they open. According to study, they are often undercooked at this point. The time required to cook mussels varies based on the method used and the size of the mussels. As a general rule, mussels should be cooked until their shells open, indicating that they are fully cooked and ready to eat.
Here are some basic cooking rules for mussels:
- Steamed mussels: Steam the mussels in a covered pot over high heat for 5-7 minutes, or until their shells open.
- Boiled mussels: Cook the mussels in a pot of boiling water for 3-5 minutes, or until their shells open.
- Mussels grilled or roasted: Grill or roast the mussels for 5-7 minutes, or until their shells open.
Should you not eat mussels that remain closed after cooking?
There are times that mussels remain closed after cooking. And people believe that you should never eat mussels that have not opened because it is not safe to eat. Well, this is a definitely a misconception. It is totally fine to eat them if you can fry them open.
Whether the shells open or not, the juicy portion within a mollusk cooks as it rests in simmering water. Two adductor muscles, which are among the strongest in the animal kingdom, keep the two shells closed. In any batch of mussels, some will have stronger adductor muscles than others; their shells may not pop open, but if you pry them open they will be cooked. When heated, these muscles gradually weaken as the proteins cook.
References:
M. Wallert, K. Colabroy, B. Kelly, J. Provost (2016). The Science of Cooking: Understanding The Biology And Chemistry Behind Food And Cooking. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
S. Farrimond (2017). The Science of Cooking: Every Question Answered to Perfect Your Cooking. DK Publishing
G. Mark (2018). Food Science and the Culinary Arts. Academic Press.
