Mussels

Fresh live mussels are inexpensive and easy to prepare. When heated in a small amount of liquid, they release a savory, sealike broth that can be mopped up with crusty French bread or converted into a delicious soup.

The common mussel, or blue mussel, is available in many shapes and sizes. Buy small (about 2 inches long, about 20 to a pound) cultivated mussels, which consistently have the best flavor and the least sand. Larger mussels, which often have a rougher outer shell, are often sandy and can be so large that they can be unpleasant to eat. Sometimes they have a strong, gamy flavor.