How to cook mussels?

How to cook mussels? Sooner or later this question is asked by everyone. Mussels are shellfish, used for food. Dishes with them are very nutritious, primarily due to the high content of protein in the meat, fats and carbohydrates. 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 a product from which you can prepare a variety of different dishes: pelmeni, salads, pilaf. You can also try to cook soup of mussels or cook stuffed with shellfish peppers. Low caloric content of meat allows you to consider it dietary.

The type and taste of the dish, first of all, depends on the way it is prepared. Consider the simplest ways - cooking and cooking.

Simple ways of preparation. Most often, mussels are fried, because under the influence of high temperature, the shell of the mussel is opened, after which its meat can be eaten. How to fry mussels and how much time is a private matter for everyone.

If we talk about cooking mussels, we should clearly outline the stages of this process. First it is necessary to clean the shells with a brush with a coarse bristle, then place the mussels in a saucepan and add water. Water should cover them a little, since when opening the shells, the mussels will release an extra liquid from themselves. After the beginning of the boil, the mussels should be boiled for a few minutes. To taste, as a rule, added onions, wine, garlic and other. Drain the water and enjoy the boiled mussels!

How to choose mussels? If you want to take advantage of this food, you should first of all think not about how to prepare mussels, but about how to choose them correctly! Give preference to whole, tightly closed shells. Note also that the sink should not be too light or too heavy (excessive weight indicates the presence of a large amount of sand in the sink, insufficient - that the mollusks are already lifeless). Live mussels can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days after purchase. In the fridge, they are laid out in one layer and covered with a damp napkin. Another aspect to which attention is drawn is the color of the shell. It can be green, blue, black, depending on the type of product.

If the mussels were collected by themselves. How to cook mussels that were collected by hand? Before answering this question, let us draw your attention to the fact that one must be sure that the water in the zone of the growth of mollusks is ecologically clean. In the field of view, there should be no places for sewage, construction, shipping. The safest places are sand spits, reefs, mussel cans. And prepare such mollusks as well as store.

How to clean mussels from a shell? The shells of mussels are cleaned from seaweed, silt and sand under cold water with a knife. After removing the threads with which the mollusks are attached to the support, open shells should be thrown away, since they can no longer be eaten. If the shell is slightly ajar, tap on it - if the mollusk is alive, the flaps will close.

What to prepare from mussels? How to make mussels is understandable. But in what dishes can you 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. Add shredded cabbage, garlic, salt, lemon juice, spices and sauce. The contents of the cooking container are thoroughly mixed and refueled with vegetable oil.

Pilaf from mussels. First, mussels must be boiled. Then, the sliced carrots are fried in butter, followed by the addition of finely chopped onions and rice. All this is poured into two glasses of water (the one in which mollusks were brewed). To the composition is added tomato paste, salt and spices to taste. Pilaf is cooked on low heat. A few minutes before the ready for the rice are added mussels.

Good luck in your culinary endeavors!