How can I save my mussels?

How can I save my mussels? - Woman sorting garbage and putting metal can into bucket

For the record this is my first post here, so hopefully it is on topic I do mean the fishy kind, not the strongman kind:

I bought a kg of mussels but I have never cooked them before so I asked the guy in the shop, the basics and went back to cook them. However, I mistakenly chucked them in a simmering pot without checking and then realised that I need to pull the bits of stuff off them! I didn't want to take them back out in case they were still half alive or something so I have left them to cook.

I am wondering if it will be ok to cook them till they are cooked and then drain them, clean them and put them in some fresh water with some garlic and butter to cook again (straight away after that) or if I have foolishly missed my only chance to cook them properly. If the latter, can anyone advise on how I should have gone about it (I think I should have pulled the bits off - should I have rinsed them or would that be too cruel?)

I don't want to waste a kg of mussels but I preference this to food poisoning so experienced advice would be welcome! Thanks.

seafood


Best Answer

I am wondering if it will be ok to cook them till they are cooked and then drain them, clean them and put them in some fresh water with some garlic and butter to cook again...

Yes that should be fine, just make sure you discard any shells that have not opened by the end of cooking as those are dead ones.

Here's a nice recipe for moules marinières, mussels cooked with butter, white wine, shallots, cream and herbs which also explains how to de-beard them.



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How can I save my mussels? - Young responsible female standing in kitchen and putting tin can into bucket while sorting trash


Quick Answer about "How can I save my mussels?"

  • Remove from plastic bag and store either loose or in mesh bag.
  • Place in bowl or unsealed container.
  • Cover with clean damp cloth or paper towel. ...
  • Store in fridge (up to a few days and make sure they smell like the ocean)
  • Drain daily any water that collects in bowl/container.


    • How long can I keep mussels in the fridge?

    Cover the mussels with a clean damp cloth or paper towel, it's important not to store the shellfish in water. Place into the fridge and store for up to 2 - 5 days (I actually recommend to consume within 2 for best taste, however!) Check on the Mussels daily and drain any build up of water.

    Can you save mussels for next day?

    Once you're ready to eat the mussels, you can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Another option is to place them in a bowl of cold water for about 1 hour. After thawing, you can safely keep the mussels in your refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking and eating them.

    How long can mussels live out of water?

    Adult mussels can survive out of water \u2013 less than five days in dry conditions, but up to 21 days in very wet conditions (such as inside dock/lift pipes).

    Can you freeze fresh mussels?

    Mussels can be frozen for up to 3 months. When they're fresh, you should inspect the shells carefully before adding them to freezer-safe bags. Once sealed, you can freeze mussels for 3 months raw or 6 months if they've already been cooked.


    How to Store Mussels



    More answers regarding how can I save my mussels?

    Answer 2

    Short answer: It is safe, although by far the predominant practice is to remove them before cooking.

    This is, of course, assuming the "bits of stuff" you refer to are the beards of the mussels, which they use to attach themselves to their growth substrate.

    According to ISSC, International Shellfish Safety Conference, you can leave the beards attached if you wish (emphasis added):

    HOW SHOULD FRESH MUSSELS BE HANDLED STORED AND COOKED?

    Mussels should be scrubbed with a stiff brush or coarse sponge and rinsed with cold water to remove any debris. Beards can be removed or left attached.

    Lesser quality sources concur:

    According to Blue Ocean Mussels, you can remove the beards after cooking--assuming the bits of stuff you refer to are the beards.

    According to Yahoo answers, its safe but I give them little credence.

    Here is one article at The Kitchn describing how to prepare mussels and clean them, with photos, in case it helps in the future. They also note, by the way:

    The beard isn't harmful or inedible (just not particularly desirable to our taste buds), so don't fret if there are a few little threads left that you can't grasp.

    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: SHVETS production, SHVETS production, SHVETS production, SHVETS production

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