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Mussels are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways and paired with many different side dishes. They are affordable, quick to cook, and delicious. They can be steamed, cooked in wine, or served with a variety of sauces. When deciding what to serve with mussels, consider the recipe and the flavours you want to impart to the dish. For instance, if you're serving mussels in a rich sauce, bread is an excellent pairing, and if you're looking for something lighter, a quinoa salad could be a good option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Crusty bread, rosemary focaccia, garlic bread, baguette |
| Pasta | Linguine, angel hair pasta, cavatelli |
| Salad | Quinoa salad, green salad |
| Fries | French fries, shoestring fries |
| Rice | Saffron rice |
| Soup | Brothy soup with chorizo, soup with spinach, saffron and cream |
| Beans | Gigante beans with feta cheese |
| Vegetables | Roasted vegetables (eggplant, bell peppers, zucchini), steamed asparagus or broccoli, lettuce |
| Sauces | Tomato sauce, garlic sauce, white wine sauce, lemon sauce |
| Meat | Speck (cured ham), lamb sausage (merguez), chorizo |
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Bread
Crusty Bread
Crusty bread, such as a baguette, is a popular choice to serve with mussels. The crust provides a nice texture contrast when dipped into the mussel broth, and the soft inside is great for soaking up the juices. You can also tear the baguette into chunks and ladle the broth over the mussels and bread. To prepare the baguette, slice it at a deep angle, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and ground pepper before broiling.
Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is another delicious option to serve with mussels. The crispy edges and soft, buttery center of the garlic bread complement the mussels perfectly. To make garlic bread, slice a loaf of bread, spread a mixture of butter, minced garlic, and herbs, then bake until golden. You can also rub toasted bread with a clove of garlic.
Buckwheat Bread
Buckwheat bread has a dense, rich texture that makes it ideal for sopping up mussel juices. It has an earthy and robust flavor that stands up to the strong taste of mussels. You can bake buckwheat bread at home for a hearty and nutty addition to your meal.
Flatbreads
If you are serving mussels in a curry cream sauce, flatbreads such as chapatis or naan can be a great option. Ciabatta is another type of bread that goes well with mussels in a creamy sauce due to its soft interior and hearty crust.
In addition to these specific types of bread, it is also worth noting that some people enjoy dipping French fries into their mussels and broth, similar to the classic combination of mussels and fries known as "moules frites."
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Pasta
For a heartier meal, you can make a mussel linguine. Cook the linguine until about 2 minutes before al dente, then add the mussels and sauce. Toss and finish cooking, allowing the noodles to absorb the sauce. Top with fresh chopped parsley and serve with a green salad.
If you're looking for something more adventurous, try a creamy avgolemono sauce with your mussels and pasta. Avgolemono is a Greek sauce made from eggs, lemon, and warm broth. This adds a new dimension to your basic white wine cream sauce. To make this dish, steam the mussels in a pan with garlic, shallots, and wine. Then, prepare the avgolemono sauce and add it to the mussels along with the pasta. Toss in some fresh herbs and serve with extra lemon wedges.
Don't forget that you can also serve mussels on top of pasta! This method works well with linguine or angel hair pasta and a garlicky sauce. You can also serve mussels with a side of pasta, which is a great option if you want to offer a variety of dishes.
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Salads
Another option is a quinoa salad. This is a healthy, hearty, and delicious grain-based salad that can be studded with fresh veggies and a lemon dressing. The lightness and freshness of this salad will also enhance the mussels without being overpowering.
You could also try a fennel salad, which is another simple vegetable dish that goes well with mussels. The combination of cucumber and fresh dill makes a crunchy and delightful salad.
A beetroot salad is another option, with its deep, earthy sweetness paired with creamy goat cheese and walnuts. The sweetness of the beets, the tanginess of the cheese, and the crunch of the walnuts create a complex flavour profile that complements the mussels beautifully.
Finally, a simple arugula salad with a red wine vinaigrette is a great option to serve with mussels. This salad is light and fresh, with a tangy dressing that will cut through the richness of the mussels.
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Sauces
Mussels are a versatile dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways and paired with a range of sauces. Here are some sauce options to consider when serving mussels:
Creamy White Wine Garlic Sauce
This sauce is an easy and elegant way to prepare mussels, combining wine, garlic, heavy cream, and butter. It is a quick dish that can be made within 30 minutes. The creamy sauce pairs well with the mussels and can be served with crusty bread for dipping. This sauce is perfect for an elegant dinner or a light lunch, and it goes well with a glass of white wine.
Lemon Garlic-Butter Sauce
For a refreshing twist, mussels can be prepared in a lemon garlic-butter sauce. This sauce typically includes onion, garlic, chilli flakes, white wine, cream, and lemon juice. The addition of lemon zest and parsley can also enhance the flavour. This sauce creates an elegant and tasty appetizer before the main course. It is a great option for entertaining guests and can be served in separate bowls.
Sailor's Sauce
This sauce originates from Galicia, a coastal region in northwestern Spain. The name refers to the fast, fresh sauces that fishermen's wives would prepare with the catch of the day. Sailor's sauce typically includes onions, garlic, jalapeños, tomatoes, oregano, and saffron. It is a hearty and flavourful option for mussels, reflecting the traditions of coastal Spanish cuisine.
Tomato Sauce
Mussels can be served with a classic tomato sauce, which can be adjusted to your taste preferences. For a tarter flavour, add more tomatoes, or increase the sugar for a sweeter sauce. This sauce is a simple yet delicious option that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Horseradish Sauce
For those who enjoy a creamy sauce with a kick, a horseradish sauce is an excellent choice. This sauce offers a well-balanced flavour, as the addition of vinegar cuts through the richness. The amount of horseradish can be adjusted to suit your taste, making it a versatile and punchy option to serve with mussels.
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Soups
Mussels are a versatile dish that can be cooked in many ways and paired with a variety of sides. One option is to make them into a soup, which can be a quick and easy meal option. Here are some ideas for mussel soup recipes and their accompaniments:
Brothy Mussel Soup
A brothy mussel soup is a classic French dish that is both classy and simple to make. This soup typically features mussels cooked in wine and shallots, with leeks, garlic, and saffron adding depth of flavour. The key to this dish is serving it with a good loaf of crusty bread, which soaks up the delicious broth. For a heartier meal, you can also add cooked pasta, such as penne, directly to the soup before serving.
Sicilian Mussel Soup
This soup features ground fennel seeds, which add a robust flavour. The mussels are cooked in wine and garlic, and the soup is served over garlic bread, making it a tasty and satisfying meal. To prepare the mussels, scrub them with a bristle brush, remove their beards, and rinse them well before cooking.
Creamy Mussel Soup
For a richer take on mussel soup, cream can be added to the broth. This variation creates a beautiful colour and adds a slight bit of richness without overwhelming the other flavours. The soup is served with a garnish of basil and chervil, adding freshness to the dish.
Mussel Soup with Pasta
Combining mussels with pasta is always a good idea, and it works exceptionally well in soup form. Angel hair pasta can be added to the soup, along with garlicky sauce and mussels, for a delightful and comforting meal. This dish can also be made lighter by substituting quinoa salad for the pasta.
Green Curry Mussel Soup
For an adventurous take on mussel soup, try adding a Thai green curry base. This variation adds a fragrant and exotic twist to the traditional mussel soup. It can be served with crusty bread or rice on the side, providing a hearty and satisfying meal.
Mussel soup is a versatile dish that can be tailored to different tastes and preferences. Whether you prefer a classic brothy soup or a more adventurous variation, these recipes are sure to impress and satisfy.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some side dishes that go well with mussels:
- Crusty bread, brushed with olive oil, grilled or toasted.
- French fries or 'Moules-frites'
- Pasta, such as angel hair pasta, linguine, or cavatelli
- Salad, such as a quinoa salad or a green salad
- Saffron rice
- Chorizo
Here are some sauces that go well with mussels:
- White wine and garlic sauce
- Lemon juice
- Tomato sauce
- Red pepper aïoli
- Olive oil
- Garlic mayonnaise
Mediterranean mussels, Penn Cove mussels, Canadian Blue Mussels, and New Zealand mussels are all good options. If you want to save time on cleaning and debearding, opt for clean, farmed mussels.
Here are some recipes that include mussels:
- Cioppino: Steam mussels with other fish and shellfish in a tomato broth to make a Mediterranean-style stew.
- Steamed mussels: Steam mussels with wine, beer, or sake and serve with citrus, spices, or other proteins.
- Mussels in red sauce: Mix mussel juice with quality tomato sauce.
- Soup: Combine mussels with chorizo in a brothy soup or add spinach, saffron, and cream for a bisque.
- Mussels with pasta: Combine mussels with angel hair pasta, linguine, or cavatelli in a garlicky sauce.
A lemon cake or lemon sorbet can be a good choice for dessert after a meal with mussels.
