mussel stock

Do NOT throw away the cooking liquid after the mussels are done. It is a delicious stock that can be used for many soup, sauce and other recipes. Mussel stock does not usually need to be reduced, on the contrary. I always dilute it before I drink it.

I used to be able to get frozen mussels at the local walmart, but they stopped carrying them in all of Southern New Mexico several years ago. Fresh ones, I would need to have overnighted UPS or FedEx, and I haven't gotten that desperate for them yet.

INGREDIENTS

This is what you need for 1 quart:

  1. 2 lbs. mussels, preferably fresh
    frozen if nothing else available
  2. vegetables of choice (see soup recipes)
Pic1: sieve the liquid to remove solids

Directions

 

Pic2: mussels with fennel
Pic3: mussels with mixed vegetables