Whether steamed with wine or in a sauce, moules (Mollusk) are one of the easiest seafood dishes to prepare. This classic dish is a must have at any bistro. It’s easy to add flavor to a dish with a little white wine, garlic or aioli. Aside from being delicious, moules are healthy as they’re low in calories and high in protein.
Mussels are found in many regions of the world but they’re particularly popular in Belgium, France and Holland. This is mainly because of the traditional way in which they are served: moules met friet (mussels with French fries). They are also eaten canned or fried.
In a 2008 survey carried out by TNS Sofres, moules-frites came in second place among the favorite dishes of the French people behind steak frites. The mussels are often steamed with white wine, onion and herbs, such as parsley, thyme or bay. Some cooks even add a bit of cream to their broth to make it more rich.
It is best to use fresh mussels. They should be free from chips and broken shells and have tightly closed valves. It’s important to allow about 500g per person for a main meal and half that amount as a starter or for use in soups and pastas.