I love Mussels, but buying them has become problematical in recent times.
They have mostly proved to be small, tasteless, and frankly, a waste of money. I like my Mussels to be fresh, big and fat, and to be full of flavour.
In the UK I have bought VACUUM PACKS of ready prepared and cooked Mussels in a cream sauce, and only one provider has passed muster.
I've bought some from both M & S and Waitrose, but neither were very good. But these ones (below) from Sainsbury's are excellent, and I can recommend them. They are Scottish.
Each box comes with two vacuum packs of Mussels, and two boxes (4 vacuum packs) are just about right for two people. I just add a splash of white wine and heat for a few minutes. The Mussels are a good size as you can probably see by the photo, and there are very few 'duds'. The chips are cheating 'oven chips'.
Moules Frites (Mussels and Chips) is a big institution in France; and even bigger in Belgium. Mammoth al fresco evenings are dedicated to their consumption, when 'buckets' are refilled as soon as they're emptied. They are always good fun evenings; but, of course, you have to like Mussels.
As we traditionally always eat fish on Fridays, these Mussels often now appear on the menu. We shall be eating more tonight.
Lovely Jubbly.
They sound good but I wouldn't have the chips.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't normally either, but it's traditional.
DeleteGreat finger food.
ReplyDeleteThou wouldn't buy mussels pre cooked, vac packed, only to then reheat. Prefer nets of fresh live mussels and cook them myself. Only takes a jiffy. My preferred way of serving is the wine/garlic bonanza with plenty of good bread to mop up the juices.
I take it you use an empty mussel as a means of extracting the content of all the others.
Bon Appetit,
U