Mussels prepared in a Dutch Oven

Mussels are shellfish found mainly in coastal waters and are considered a popular delicacy in many countries. 

Origin

Mussels are caught and farmed in different parts of the world. They thrive in coastal saltwater areas, where they attach themselves to rocks, piers or other hard surfaces. Mussels are found in several regions, including Europe, North America and Asia.

Europe is a well-known region for mussel production. Countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Spain are known for their mussel production and have a long tradition of eating mussels.

When is the mussel season?

The season for fresh mussels varies slightly, depending on the location and type of mussels. Generally, mussels are considered best during the months with an "r" in it, meaning September to April are the main season.

This is due to the mussels' reproductive cycle. During the summer months, especially when the water gets warmer, mussels start reproducing and tend to lose their flesh and be less tasty. Therefore, mussels are often consumed outside the reproductive season.

Recipe for mussels prepared in a Dutch oven

Time: 20-30 minutes
People: 2-3
Pan: VH6.1L, VH6.1L+, VH8L, VH8L+, VH9L

Ingredients:

2 kg fresh mussels
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 leek, thinly sliced
1 carrot, thinly sliced
1 stalk of celery, thinly sliced
1 cup white wine
1 cup vegetable stock
1/2 cup chopped parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Rinse the mussels thoroughly under cold water and remove any broken or open mussels that do not close when tapped.
2. Heat the Dutch oven on your cooker, in your barbecue or over a campfire and add the olive oil.
3. Add the onion, garlic, leek, carrot and celery to the Dutch oven. Fry them for 5-7 minutes, or until they soften.
4. Add the white wine and vegetable stock to the Dutch oven and bring to the boil.
5. Add the mussels to the Dutch oven and cover with a lid.
6. Cook the mussels for about 5-7 minutes, or until all the mussels have opened. Gently shake the Dutch oven occasionally to cook the mussels evenly or stir gently with a ladle.
7. Remove the Dutch oven from the heat and sprinkle the mussels with chopped parsley.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve the mussels straight from the Dutch oven, together with some of the cooking liquid and fresh crusty bread.

Enjoy your delicious mussels prepared in the Dutch oven!

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