Crab and Mussel

Many individuals are lovers of seafood in all forms, especially Crab and Mussel. Crab and Mussel are both considered delicacies and are mostly popular in areas next to the seaside. There are also a number of seafood restaurants across the country, but the seafood served at these is never as fresh and delicious as when it is freshly caught and cooked. Why not buy some Crab and Mussel or catch some yourself and prepare it at home?

To prepare crab, starting with a fresh catch is recommended for the best taste. Place them in boiling salted water until they are totally submerged and cover the pot with a lid. Boil for 10-20 minutes, depending upon the size of the crabs that you are working with.

If you are starting with a live crab, you can place these in the freezer for a few minutes to slow their movements so that they are easier to work with. There are many who also believe that this is a more humane way of cooking live crab as the freezer puts them into a subconscious state so that they are not fully awake while being cooked.

Once the crab has finished cooking, place it in a bowl of ice water to help it cool. Drain for a few minutes and then you are ready to begin the cleaning process.

Cleaning a crab is not nearly as difficult as it sounds. You merely need to follow a few steps and the process will be done. Hold the base of the crab with one hand pull the shell away from it with the other hand. Scrape the gills off with a spoon and then twist off the legs and remove the mushy organs in the inner cavity.

Once this is done, rinse the body under water and break it in half. You can also remove the meat from the crab legs; this part of the crab is often considered the most tender and tasty

Mussels are a little more difficult to find and are not featured on the average menu. These are prepared many different ways, including steamed, grilled, baked, or in combination with sauces and other ingredients.

It is important to follow some simple rules when preparing these at home as eating a mussel that is not properly cooked can make one quite ill. Keep in mind that uncooked mussels are always sold live. When purchasing mussels for cooking at home, make sure that you select only those, which are closed.

If you see a shell that is even slightly open, try tapping on it. If it closes quickly, you will know that the mussel is still alive and it is safe to eat. However, if it does not, it is likely dead, and most would recommend journeying to another location for your mussel purchasing. Live mussels should not smell, either, so keep this in mind. Place the mussels in clean water when you get home to keep them fresh as possible.

The type of mussel you purchase makes all the difference in how they much be cleaned. Farmed mussels can merely be rinsed in cool water, though some recommend throwing in a little cornmeal as a precaution. If you are planning on steaming these in the shells, scrub the outer shells with a brush to remove any lingering grime.

Wild mussels require more thorough cleaning. The beard will still remain and will need to be pulled off. They will need a thorough scrubbing to remove barnacles and sand particles.

To shuck the mussels, hold them over a bowl and use a clam knife to cut off the hinge separating the two shells. Use the knife to then separate the mussel from the shell.

Mussels can be cooked while still inside their shells, but this require very thorough cleaning to ensure that they are safe to eat. When mussels are steamed, they are left in their shells. This is a very quick process. Mussels are steamed until they open, usually around five to seven minutes. Mussels are also great when steamed or baked, but they are usually always steamed first.

Many enjoy both mussels and clams and would love to prepare them at home, but simply do not have the know how required to complete this. However, with a little guidance and effort you will find that eating fresh seafood at home is not only attainable, but also enjoyable. Forget paying high prices on that fancy seafood fare at your local restaurant. Save some money and enjoy these delicacies from the comfort of your own home.

Read more at Anything on Crabs

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