Cooking Wild Blue Mussels

Blue mussels are a favorite shellfish that are found in most areas of the North Atlantic. Harvesting blue mussels is a fun pastime and a simple way to enjoy wild caught seafood. Before harvesting blue mussels, remember to check for regulations, health advisories and other information.

Blue mussels can be picked by hand and placed in a mesh bag or bucket. After harvesting enough mussels for a meal, it is a good idea to add some water to the bucket, give it a few swirls, then drain and add more clean salt water. In warm weather they should be stored in a cooler with a little ice, being careful to separate the ice from the mussels so they don't freeze.

After returning home, mussels should be rinsed thoroughly and kept cool. Some harvesters place the mussels in a container of clean sea water overnight, which is then stored in a cooler with a block of ice at one end. This method keeps the mussels cool but allows them to open long enough to expel sand or grit. Be careful not to remove the beard yet or allow mussels to stand in fresh water as either practice may kill them.

After a few hours in clean saltwater they are ready for a final rinse and inspection prior to cooking. Discard any individuals that do not close tightly when tapped. If the mussels will be served in the shell, it is best to remove the beard just prior to cooking, otherwise de-bearding may be easier after they are cooked. Either method seems to work.

Blue mussels can be steamed, baked in the oven or laid on a grill until

they open. A popular dish is simply to serve whole cooked mussels on a plate with crackers or bread and small bowls of melted butter and malt vinegar for dipping. They are the main ingredient in seafood recipes such as seafood chowder, mussels with linguini, cioppino, or as a garnish for other dishes. Blue mussels are small, bright in color and taste similar to oysters. They are a good source of iron, selenium and vitamin B12.

Fisherman's Cioppino with Blue Mussels

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped red onion
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 medium ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped, with their juices
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 lbs fresh mussels in the shell
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Heat the olive oil in a wide, heavy pot over medium heat, add the onions and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the parsley and tomatoes. Raise the heat and bring to a simmer. Add 1 cup water and the wine.

Cook, partially covered, for 10 minutes.

Add mussels (in shell), cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.


By J.C. Banks

Enjoying Spanish Food

Spanish food is rich in both ingredients and flavors. Saffron is the prime ingredient and spice that is used in most of the dishes. Sea Food is also very much preferred by the Spanish people. Tapas, which are small appetizers are quite popular throughout Spain and you will find a lot of bars and restaurants offering traditional Tapas. Below are some tips on how should one enjoy a great Spanish meal.

1.Start with sangria (red wine). This drink is actually a punch that is made by mixing brandy, red wine and fruit. In case you prefer white wine then have sangria that is made using white wine. This is also a very refreshing and fruity drink that is generally served chilled as sangria is supposed to.

2.Select some Tapas or small appetizers that are available in different exotic tastes throughout Spain. You can have many of these appetizers as they are basically small bite of food that is served traditionally with drinks. You can choose between chorizos (Spanish sausages), atun (tuna), mussels or clams. These Specialties of Spain are cooked on a very slow flame of heat using different kind of spices and oils.

3.Next you should go for in a hearty soup. A Galician soup named Caldo Gallego is made using beans and this soup is much known for its enticing flavor. Most of the restaurants in Spain serve this soup.

4.Then you can choose Spanish Pella Marinera for your main course. This dish has a base of yellow rice with mussels, shrimps, lobster and clams cooked in spices. Saffron is the main spice used for bestowing yellow color and also for seasoning. A lot of Spanish restaurants also serve tenderloins and steaks in a large variety. These are generally grilled on charcoal and taste awesome.

5.You can select rice pudding that has added cinnamon or the Arroz con Leche for Desert Storm. Caramel custard or flan is another favorite amongst Spaniards as desert.

The Cuisine of Spain is famous for the variety in dishes because of differences in culture, geography and climate. The availability of seafood is highly influenced by the water that surrounds the entire country and it also reflects the deep maritime roots that the country had. Due to extensive history and a large number of cultural influences, the Spain has benefited thousands of dishes and recipes. Spanish food is also renowned for fresh ingredients and health benefits.

By R. Coenen