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
Yes of course. I've had bad luck with fresh Mussels recently. They all been tiny, uninteresting, and a waste of money. These are not expensive, and are good. The fact that they are vacuum packed really doesn't worry me. It also means that they have a long 'shelf life',
DeleteI had some Mussels with fish and chips while down in St Ives Harbour in Cornwall in June. They tasted surprisingly good. The Cafe owner said that they were part of the fisherman's morning's catch, which probably explains their fresh taste.
ReplyDeleteThey need to be fresh and meaty. Delicious.
DeleteWe used to get large fresh mussels too. Like yours ours are now much smaller and there are very few. The best mussels here are frozen NZ green lip mussels. Not so cheap anymore but good for a treat. Steamed with oil, wine and a little garlic .
ReplyDeleteI once had a small tin of those green lipped Mussels. I'm afraid that the canning process took away most of the flavour (I imagine).
DeleteI can't eat shellfish but most of my friends love mussels. I don't know where they buy them though 🤔
ReplyDeleteIn France every Fishmonger has huge piles of fresh Mussels; they are as common as Haddock or Prawns. Here I would be wary of buying fresh, as one really wouldn't know how long they'd been out of the sea. Better to eat these!
DeleteOlive Oyl liked big mussels and that is why Popeye the Sailorman ate tins of spinach.
ReplyDeleteI eat tins of Spinach too, but I have yet to attract an Olive Oyl.
DeleteGet to know your local fishmonger. I haven’t had a problem with fresh mussels…though the prolonged shelf life of the vacuum pack is appealing.
ReplyDeleteWouldn’t eat those “oven fries” as I try to avoid as much ultra processed food as possible and they are so easy to make from scratch.
We don't really have fishmongers any more, they only appear these days as a small section of a supermarket (if you're lucky). I don't trust them. The 'oven fries' are just lazy fries. They're OK.
DeleteBrighton and New Haven Fish Sales is a 12 minute drive from you.
DeleteGive them a go
I know I should, but frankly I can't be bothered.
DeleteCompletely understandable, much easiest to do one’s shopping in a supermarket. unfortunately that is why quality butchers, fishmongers. Cheese shops etc are getting thinner on the ground and more expensive. People want the convince and aren’t prepared to pay a little more for quality.
DeleteMuscles and chips a real bloody treat
ReplyDeleteBloody lovely
I agree, and we'll be having more tonight!
DeleteAnd then you have a wonderful bucket of shells when you are finished.
ReplyDeleteMary Mary quite contrary
DeleteHow does your garden grow
With silver bells and Mussel shells
And something else all in a row.
No mussels for me, I simply do not like them.
ReplyDeleteCrab, lobster, and scallops are my choice.
Thank goodness we don't all like the same things; life would be so boring!
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