Get cooking with these 6 easy steps!
Rinse fresh mussels under cold running water for one to two minutes. Fresh live mussels should smell like the sea and naturally open and close but they may take a few minutes to respond to the rinsing, agitating and stimulation. Discard any mussels that are cracked, broken or smell bad.
Place enough liquid in an empty pot to cover the bottom. You only require a small amount of your favourite liquid as the mussels will be steamed, not boiled. Turn the element to high.
Add the mussels to the pot and cover with the lid. Keep temperature to high. If creating a favorite recipe this would be the perfect time to add ingredients on top of the mussels before placing the cover. Spices, vegetables, herbs, sauces, butter, etc.
2 – 3 pounds of mussels will take 5 – 7 minutes to cook but timing may vary depending on the strength of heat, how much liquid you use, and the amount of mussels you put in the pot. Mussels are ready when shells are open and you can see the plump tender meats.
When the steam is pouring out from under the lid of the pot for 2 - 3 minutes, remove from heat. Let rest covered for 1 minute.
Tip the contents into a bowl and serve with some fresh crusty bread for dipping in the wonderful broth — It’s that simple!
Properly refrigerated Canadian Cove Fresh Mussels can be stored at home in your refrigerator for a couple of days so you don’t have to eat them right away.
Make sure to always check the best-before date on the package. For both Mesh and Bulk purchased mussels, also make sure you don’t store them in the generic retail provided plastic bags you might have used to take them home.
MESH BAGS
Place the mesh bag in either a bowl or unsealed container. Make sure to keep the mussels in the mesh bag as the mesh holds the mussels closed tightly keeping all their natural juices inside.
Place the mesh bag in either a bowl or unsealed container. Make sure to keep the mussels in the mesh bag as the mesh holds the mussels closed tightly keeping all their natural juices inside.
BULK MUSSELS
Until you are ready to prepare your favorite mussel recipe, store your bulk mussels loose in either a bowl or unsealed container.
Until you are ready to prepare your favorite mussel recipe, store your bulk mussels loose in either a bowl or unsealed container.
COVER
Cover with a clean damp cloth or paper towel and store in your fridge. You can also cover the mussels with ice; make sure to drain any melted water and re-ice daily. Never store them in water.
Cover with a clean damp cloth or paper towel and store in your fridge. You can also cover the mussels with ice; make sure to drain any melted water and re-ice daily. Never store them in water.
DRAIN
Mussels release water naturally, so make sure to drain the mussels daily to remove any pooling water.
Mussels release water naturally, so make sure to drain the mussels daily to remove any pooling water.
Mussels in High Oxygen Sealed Tray
Place tray in the fridge until ready to consume. The High Oxygen Pack keeps your mussels fresh until the Best-Before-Date printed on the film. When ready to prepare, cut the tray film, but please note that due to the high oxygen environment many of mussels will be open, this is normal. Pour your mussels into colander / strainer or into your sink, rinse & agitate under cold fresh water for 2-3 minutes before cooking. Fresh live mussels will naturally open and close and because these are packed in a high oxygen environment the mussels will take a few extra minutes to respond to the rinsing & agitating.
Place tray in the fridge until ready to consume. The High Oxygen Pack keeps your mussels fresh until the Best-Before-Date printed on the film. When ready to prepare, cut the tray film, but please note that due to the high oxygen environment many of mussels will be open, this is normal. Pour your mussels into colander / strainer or into your sink, rinse & agitate under cold fresh water for 2-3 minutes before cooking. Fresh live mussels will naturally open and close and because these are packed in a high oxygen environment the mussels will take a few extra minutes to respond to the rinsing & agitating.
Once you’re ready to cook, just take your mussels out of the refrigerator and give one last smell to ensure freshness. They should smell fresh, just like the ocean. If you’ve any questions regarding our High Oxygen Sealed Trays, click here for our main FAQs or feel free to contact us.
