Flex Your Mussels: 8 Easy Ways to Enjoy These Marvelous Mollusks | Dish on Fish
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Flex Your Mussels: 8 Easy Ways to Enjoy These Marvelous Mollusks

Hi, Seafoodies-

It has come to our attention that some of our readers haven’t yet experienced the joy of eating mussels. We won’t judge, but we’ll do whatever we can to remedy this unfortunate situation! Mussels are such a cinch to prepare, and they pack so much great flavor and nutrition into their small size, that it’s a crime to pass them up. So, we’ve rounded up a few musselicious recipes to show the uninitiated what you’ve been missing. And if you’re already a mussels maven, keep reading because you’re sure to find a new favorite preparation here!

Before we jump into the recipes, let’s talk a minute about why we love these marvelous mollusks so much. First, the taste: They’re briny and just a little sweet, taking on any flavor profile—Italian, Mexican, South Seas—that you can dish out. This is what makes them one of our favorite add-on or swap-in proteins. They’ll be right at home with pasta, in salads and even as a pizza topping! As for their nutritional profile, mussels have a lot of what you want in your diet (iron, omega-3s and vitamin B-12) and very little of what you don’t (sodium and saturated fat).

But that’s not all! Mussels are easy on your wallet. When it comes to getting a meal on the table, most mussels dishes clock in at 30 minutes or less (after soaking and debearding). And you can cook them on the stovetop, in the oven or in your Instant Pot. Hello, convenience!

When it comes down to it, all that’s standing between you and a delicious pot of mussels are a pot of steaming liquid—wine, beer or coconut milk work well—and some tough decisions. As in, will you opt for oven-baked bivalves with white wine, leeks and bacon, or simmer some spicy curried mussels on the stove?

While you’re browsing these recipes, be sure to check out our Mussels with White Wine Sauce and discover how easy it is to master a classic dish! Mussels with Chorizo and Tomatoes on Toast puts a whole new twist on the open-faced sandwich. And if you’re planning a date night, we heartily recommend the Spaghetti with Mussels, Clams and Shrimp, a five-star recipe that received raves from our taste testers.

Bon appétit, Seafoodies! 


Mussels with White Wine Sauce 

Simple steamed mussels is a bistro classic. This recipe walks you through the debearding process, so you’ll be a pro in no time!

Instant Pot Curried Mussels 

If you’re hankering for something truly different, fire up the Instant Pot and prepare to be transported to the South Seas.

PHOTO © FRAMEDCOOKS

Oven-Steamed Mussels with White Wine and Bacon 

If you’ve found that mussels crowd the pan on the stovetop, try oven-steaming them in a large roasting pan. It’s a brilliant way to cook more mussels at once!

Garlic and Tomato Mussels     

Yes, you can enjoy tasty and tender mussels in minutes—10 minutes to be precise! Fire-roasted tomatoes and aromatic vegetables infuse this dish with incredible depth of flavor.

Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson

Coconut Curry Mussels 

Don’t move another mussel until you’ve tried this recipe! The exotic broth of coconut milk, green curry and lime has an amazing aroma.

PHOTO: © RICK POON

Spaghetti with Mussels, Clams and Shrimp

One dish, three kinds of seafood! Mussels join a supporting cast of clams and shrimp in a tomatoey tangle of pasta.

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

Mussels with Chorizo and Tomatoes on Toast 

Garlic toast becomes a full-fledged meal when it’s topped with a satisfying blend of mussels, cannellini beans and fennel. 

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Joanna Keohane

Beer-Steamed Mussels with Chorizo 

Crisp, refreshing pilsner is ideal for steaming mussels—and drinking while you eat them! This flavor-forward dish is crying out for some crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the spicy broth.

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