A few year ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a study abroad program in Belgium. It was a really cool experience. Like most cafeterias though, the food was generally pretty gross. I typically stuck wit the vegetarian option, but there were some nights where I didn’t even want to bother seeing what they had for dinner. I;m a lot more adventurous with food now than I was then, but there are some things that I still draw the line at. Like horse. That was one of the nights that I opted to skip the cafeteria in favor of a local cafe.
Luckily, there was a restaurant down the road that was always a good bet for mussels. They were so fresh and delicious and the tasted like the sea. I think I ate my weight in mussels while I was there. They prepared them a ton of different ways, but my favorite was steamed in white beer with leeks. The sauce is light enough to let the flavor come though, without being too light and boring. The mussels were served with fries with really good homemade mayo… which is nothing like prepared mayo at all. The prepared stuff makes me gag, but homemade is really good- especially on fires. When I got home, I taught myself how to make this meal, which is really simple. Its also very cheap- 3 pounds of mussels is more than enough to share and will only run you about $5.
To prepare the mussels, give them a quick look while you scrub and debeard (pull off the little fuzzy part) them. Discard any that have broken shells or that are open and wont close with a little force. Also discard any that feel exceptionally heavy, since those are likely to be full of mud.
Mussels Steamed in Beer
- 3 lbs mussels, scrubbed and debearded
- 1 tsp butter
- 1 leek, chopped
- 12 oz white beer, such as Hoegaarden
- 1/2 cup milk
Melt butter in a large pot. Sautee leeks until tender. Add beer and mussels. over and bring to a boil. Let steam about 3 minutes, or until mussels open. Add milk and cook another minute or two until warmed through.
Homemade Mayo
- 1 egg
- pinch kosher salt
- 1 cup olive oil
In a food processor, combine egg and salt until foamy. Drizzle in the oil very slowly (one drop at a time) while the machine continues to run. After about half the oil is incorporated, you can speed it up a little and add the rest in a steady stream.
This isn’t the healthiest because of all the oil, but you really only need a Tablespoon or so to go with your fries. This recipe makes about 3/4 cup and will keep covered in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
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Don’t know how to eat mussels? They’re actually a great finger food! Take an empty shell in one hand and squeeze it so that it opens and closes like a tweezer. Use them to pluck the mussels out of the other shells and eat. No form required!
My Carolina Kitchen says
10/23 at 6:18 amI knew if I looked around I would find more moules. And home made mayonnaise too? I’m hooked. I’m following.
Sam
Albany Jane says
05/01 at 7:48 amMoules, moules, moules! I love anything seafood, but I really want to try eating them like you showed – seems like so much fun!
Carolyn Jung says
04/30 at 10:17 pmI love a good dish of steamed mussels, cooked with a little wine and some herbs. I love it tossed with hot linguini, too. This is so making me hungry!
Mo says
04/29 at 3:56 pmugh, i love mussels
Taylor says
04/29 at 9:51 amWow. I’ve never thought of trying those lean cuisine paninis open-faced. What a great idea! Next time, I’m definitely eating them that way. Thanks! 🙂
Those mussels look great. Never had them, but have been wanting to try it!
Katherine says
04/29 at 9:16 amWhat a wonderful opportunity to be able to study in Belgium. The mussels sound so good. I haven’t prepared them before. I’d love to try this recipe!
LK says
04/28 at 8:02 pmOh Sophie, that is a pity! The mussels there are so good… but not if you’re allergic. yikes!
Natasha- it really was an incredible program. I liked that it was somewhere different without being somewhere totally weird. It was nice and centrally located for weekend trips too!
Sophia- haha! they do take long to eat because of the shells.. but with good beer/wine and conversation, sometimes you want inner to drag on!
Kelly- I know a lot of people that don’t like mussels. Honestly if I start to examine them too closely they gross me out. lol
Kelsey- thanks!! what a compliment. 🙂
DebinHawaii says
04/28 at 5:35 pmIt looks like the perfect meal. I love good fries with homemade mayo and I adore mussels too!
Kelsey says
04/28 at 3:42 pmOHHHHHH MY!! I haven’t had mussels in so long!! What an amazingly delicious post.. I want to eat my screen!!
CG the Foodie says
04/28 at 2:10 pmYum yum yum. I only recently started enjoying mussels. These look great!
jenn says
04/28 at 1:02 pmYummy deliciousness! Those mussels look wonderful. It’s been a while since I have a good helping of some and they’re one of the easiest things to make, too.
Kelly says
04/28 at 1:31 pmMy husband would love this. Sadly me, not so much. Don’t get me wrong, it sounds great but I am not a big fan of mussels. Now, toss a few shrimp in there to cook along with the mussels and we are talkin’! Your mayo looks lovely!
Sophia says
04/28 at 11:31 amI’m one of those lazy ppl who don’t eat mussels because I’m too lazy to deal with the shells! haha! mayo with fries? interesting!
doggybloggy says
04/28 at 10:11 amI just had this and I could have it again…..
Sara says
04/28 at 8:03 amThese mussels look so good! I like cooking with shellfish, sometimes I do a mix of mussels and clams. Delicious 🙂
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says
04/28 at 6:50 amHow cool that you had this opportunity to study in Belgium! The mussels look excellent! Yum!
Sophie says
04/28 at 5:04 amHahaha! I was smiling when I read this!
You know that I am Belgian & I don’t like to eat mussles!
It is that I can’t digest them & I am allergic to them! Sometimes, I find that a pity!
Your typical Belgian dish looks delicious!! As allways!