Get a Taste for French Food This Year

If you live by the beach or if you are holidaying by the seaside you should definitely go mussel collecting. You’ll be able to gather this great tasting seafood from a number of locations around the UK, and one of the best ways to enjoy them is to cook them in a French-inspired dish.

When picking mussels you should always check with the local authority in your area to see if it is allowed. If it is, you can then set out to find your mussels, which can usually be found in large groups along the shore.

Cooking mussels is an easy process that even the least experienced chef can complete. The first thing you will need to do after you have picked your mussels is rid them of all the salt, grit and dirt that may have collected in them. All you need to do is soak them over night in a bowl of water with a bit of salt (to replicate the sea) and a little cornmeal (for them to eat).

Once your mussels have been de-gritted you will then need to find an open space to finish your preparations. Simply place a small piece of bread in the middle of the open space and then sit the mussels on top of it. They will then hold onto the bread and will be easy to stack into a pile.

After you have done this you will be able to gather all of your party (whether it be just you and your family or a large group of friends) as you begin to cook the mussels. You will need a few handfuls of dried out straw to cover the mussels with. Next, ask your group to step back before setting fire to the straw. The pile will burn down and, once the fire has put itself out, the mussels will have opened and will be ready to eat. The taste is defiantly unique and will really make for a special evening that everybody will remember for a long time.

To make your summer meal even better, include some good drinks. A nice pinot grigio will go well with the mussels or even some real country cider. You can also set out some appetisers that can be bought from your local supermarket that your friends and family can enjoy while having fun and making the most of your summer party.

Look online to find wine deals at your local supermarket that can save you money when serving drinks with your meal.