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.
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.