The Ultimate Local's Guide to the Best Mussels in Brussels
Not just a local delicacy, Belgians have made this tasty seafood dish their national pride. It’s said that mussels are the freshest during the months ending with ‘er’ – from September until December – but that can change each year. Mussels are not only delicious but also extremely nutritious; they contain desirable fats and are rich in vitamins and minerals. Here’s how, and where, to enjoy them on your visit to Brussels.
The Belgian way
With unrivalled skill in the matter, Belgians steam and serve juicy shellfish in a casserole pot. Fries and local beers to accompany the dish are a must. Mussels are fun to eat – prise the meat out of its shell using an empty one as pincers, before throwing the empties into a deep bowl. Cooks need to be scrupulous when it comes to mussels. One rotten mussel can be poisonous, so choose a trustworthy restaurant that knows how to properly cook these delicious shellfish.
Chez Leon
Brasserie, French
Le Zinneke
Restaurant, Seafood, Belgian
In’t Spinnekopke
Bistro, Restaurant, French, Belgian
At home
Mussels are surprisingly easy and fast to prepare, and you can find plenty of recipe inspiration online. Ideally, mussels should be fresh – meaning alive – when you buy them. Often, they’ll already have been washed, so the first step in selecting which ones to cook is to immerse them in cold water: those that don’t close by themselves after a few minutes are probably dead and should be thrown away. You don’t need much water to boil mussels as it’s the steam that cooks them. The casserole should only be filled halfway as mussels double in size when they open, which they’ll do when cooked, signalling that they’re ready to be served. And voilà, an authentic Belgian speciality at home.
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