What beer is best for mussels?

What beer is best for mussels?

For beer, the slightly sweet-bitter-spiced flavors of Belgian pale ales, like Leffe Blond, work nicely. Off-dry whites or white ales with spicy broths. When mussels are steamed with chiles or curry paste, a wine with slight sweetness and lots of acidity works well.

Are mussels Belgian?

Mussels are another Belgian staple. Cheap and plentiful, they were originally considered food for the poor, and they’ve long been paired with fried potatoes at the country’s famous fry shops, known as friteries in French and freetkoten in Dutch, the language of Flemish Belgium.

How long do you cook mussels for?

Add the mussels to the pot and cover with the lid. Keep temperature to high. Cooking will take 5 to 7 minutes depending on the strength of heat, how much liquid you use, and the amount of mussels. When the steam is pouring out from under the lid of the pot for 15 seconds, they are done!

How to prepare mussels before cooking?

Just before cooking, soak your mussels in fresh water for about 20 minutes. As the mussels breathe, they filter water and expel sand. After about 20 minutes, the mussels will have less salt and sand stored inside their shells.

What to pair with mussels?

What to Serve with Mussels (20 Easy Ideas)

• Bread.
• French Fries.
• Saffron Rice.
• Garlic Bread.
• Sweet Potato Fries.
• Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges.
• Toasted Baguette.
• Tomato Sauce.

How many mussels do you need per person?

How many? An easy rule of thumb is one pound per person or 450 grams (in the shell). Fresh blue mussels can be stored at home in your refrigerator for a few days so you don’t have to eat them right away.

How do you eat Belgian mussels?

You usually also get a second dish in which to place the shells after you’ve enjoyed the mussels. And, some connoisseurs will tell you the way to eat your mussels is by sucking out the flesh from the first pair of shells, then using those shells as tongs to pick out the flesh from the others.

Why is Belgium famous for mussels?

It comes as no surprise that Belgians developed a taste for les moules. Once considered the poor man’s meat, mussels are now sometimes referred to ‘black gold’ given to the high demand. Connoisseurs will tell you that the best mussels come from the Scheldt, a shallow river connecting Western Belgium to the Netherlands.

Can you overcook mussels?

Be careful not to overcook mussels and definitely do not boil them covered in water like a potato or pasta as they will not open. Mussels need to steam not boil. The broth left in the pot after steaming is delicious. Serve it with the mussels and use bread to dip.

Do you rinse mussels before cooking?

Wild mussels can be full of sand and debris; farm-raised mussels arrive pretty clean. Still, you’ll want to give them a rinse. Once your mussels are cleaned and debearded, they’re ready to cook and eat.