Mussels have recently been our go-to meal for a special occasion. They're really yummy, they feel fancy, and around here, they are CHEAP (2 lbs. for $6). I'm making them tonight, and I'm excited. We usually cook them in a tomato broth and eat them with good bread to soak up all the sauce. Mmmmm....
Have you had them? Do you like them? Have you ever made them? What's your favorite way to prepare them?
grapefruit / 4400 posts
I love them! I make them in a white wine/cream fraiche broth with lots of crusty bread... mmm.
honeydew / 7916 posts
Oh gosh, yes! I think I've only had them at Belgian bars, in wine sauce, Yum! I love mussels and clams!
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
the way i like them are odered up at Granville Moore's. Yumm-o
eggplant / 11824 posts
We just steam them up in a little bit of white wine with tons of garlic and shallots. Good bread is a must!
nectarine / 2134 posts
Love! We do a white wine, butter and onion broth or a saffron and tomato broth (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/mussels-in-white-wine-recipe/index.html) and always lots of crusty bread! My favorite are the tequila lime mussels at Elliots in Seattle -- here's there recipe http://www.elliottsoysterhouse.com/ony/recipes/
You're making me want mussels now!! 
eggplant / 11408 posts
@mrs. 64: sooo simple! I sauté veggies in olive oil, add some white wine and a can of tomato puree, then steam the mussels until they open. 20 minutes, tops.
eggplant / 11408 posts
I love all of your ideas for cooking them. This is making me want to try them all!
eggplant / 11408 posts
@NorCalWayfarer: you just made me remember what I left out of my broth-saffron! Whoops. They were still yummy, though!
papaya / 10473 posts
I love them in a white wine and garlic broth with crusty bread. One of my fav meals!
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
Yum! Love them! I usually use in seafood pasta or steam in a simple wine broth reduction with garlic.
cantaloupe / 6687 posts
I love mussels - the best I ever had were in a garlic wine/butter sauce with some curry...it was sooo good. I never tried making them at home. I may be trying this soon...everyone makes it sound so easy
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@sandy: very easy! If it's open when you buy it, it's dead so throw it out. You want to pull them right after they fully open so they're not chewy.
grapefruit / 4823 posts
I like mussels. I tried making them once, but didn't clean them good enough, so they weren't yummy. Haven't made them since
honeydew / 7586 posts
My husband LOVES mussels and I never even considered making them myself. If they are that easy, I am going to give it a shot.
Where do you purchase them? At the seafood counter in the grocery store?
eggplant / 11408 posts
@rahlyrah: we got ours at the seafood counter. They had a 2 pound bag of them there, but they sometimes they're also just loose in the display. I find two pounds is a lot for us-we could probably get away with one for just the two of us. Two pounds is a great size for a small dinner party, though!
@sunny: @sandy: @rahlyrah: you should definitely try! They're pretty hard to mess up
@sarbear: don't give up on them!!
@locavore_mama: I don't know why it never occurred to me to put them in pasta. Great idea!
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@LovelyPlum: yes, I like to steam in a wide pot with just a tad of water. Then save all the juices for cooking the sauce for the pasta! Adds a bit of extra earthiness to it!
Mussels plus a good deal on shrimp plus some spinach and that's a full balanced meal right there! 
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@sarbear: yes, sometimes they can be very gritty around here. You have to soak in water with salt to draw out the sand. Rinse, soak and repeat several times till there's no sand left at the bottom of the bowl.
grapefruit / 4823 posts
@locavore_mama: good to know! Same probably goes for clams too? I much prefer clams and oysters.
eggplant / 11408 posts
@sarbear: fair! We like Blue Monk's...mmm
@locavore_mama: seriously. That sounds amazing. Also, I didn't know about the salt. I usually just rinse them really well, but I bet the soaking in salt water really helps. Thanks for the tip!
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@sarbear: yup, same. Oh you also want to remove the seaweed that gets stuck!
Clams can sometimes be much grittier and harder to clean. In that case sometimes even after they're cooked I would pull the meat out and invert the flap and rinse in leftover steamed juice if there's any. If not just lukewarm water is fine too.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I soak in cornmeal, my mom does it, that's why I do it that way, lol. I buy frozen ones as well, they're just as good.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
@looch: cornmeal! I knew there was another way to draw the sand out but couldn't remember. I thought baking soda hahah
pomegranate / 3895 posts
We make them in spicy marinara with red bell peppers and chorizo. Yum! Also do them in a classic white wine sauce sometimes, or in a Thai green curry.
watermelon / 14206 posts
I love mussels but I've never cooked them myself. Sounds delicious!
pomegranate / 3577 posts
Oooh, you guys are making me drool. If you are ever in Philly, make a point to get over to Monks. Belgian style cafe, they brew their own beer and the mussels are to. die. for!
eggplant / 11408 posts
@Espion: ooh, I've never been, but we're going to Philly this summer. I'll have to give it a try! My favorite ones here are from a Belgian restaurant. Love them!
persimmon / 1081 posts
@Espion: @LovelyPlum: I went to college in Philly, and Monks was a great treat! Glad to hear it's still around.
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