Mussels are a delicious seafood item that has high levels of protein, iron and manganese. You can eat mussels in a traditional manner, by using an empty shell to pull the mussel meat out of other shells and then placing the mussels meat in your mouth. It is not uncommon to prepare more than you can eat or order too much when it comes to mussels. Instead of throwing them away you can put your mussels in the refrigerator and reheat them later. Take note that mussels have a tendency of drying out when reheated so you must warm them up gently. Below are some of the best methods to heat up mussels.
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The Microwave Method To Reheat Mussels
One of the most effective ways to heat up all kinds of meals is the microwave method. The microwave method is quick and simple when it comes to reheating mussels. Take note that it is important to take out of the shells of your mussels beforehand when reheating them in the microwave. Pre-cooked mussels have a tendency of becoming tough and chewy which is why you need to remove their shells. Also removing their shells prevents your mussels from drying out. Simply follow these steps to reheat your mussels in the microwave.
- Make use of an microwave safe dish,
- Remove the shells off your mussels,
- Place your mussels in the microwave safe dish.
- Prepare a damp paper towel to cover your mussels to additionally keep as much moisture as possible when reheating them,
- Set your microwave to low power,ideally around 30% if your microwave allows such settings,
- Allow your mussels to reheat for 15 to 20 seconds at a time and check after every round,
- Check if your mussels are warm enough,
- Serve when ready,
Tips For Reheating Your Mussels in A Microwave
- Most people make the mistake of reheating mussels on a large plate but it is best to use a small of a plate,
- Make use of a damp paper towel when reheating your mussels, that way you can keep them moist and prevent any drying which leads to loss of taste.
- You can reheat your mussels as much as you like but overheating them is not recommended because it will dry your mussels out or you will need to consume them as soon as possible because they will lose their quality once their temperature drops,
- Before you place the dish in the microwave, ensure that you drain any fluid out of the bottom of the dish.
- Once you have drained water from the dish,
- Make sure that you do not overheat your mussels otherwise your meal will not taste nice,
The Stovetop Method To Reheat Mussels
Another effective way to heat up mussels is on the stovetop. In fact, the stove top is the most ideal way to reheat mussels especially if you are heating them up together with a broth or any similar dish. However this method could require a little bit of extra work. Similar with the microwave method, you may need to separate the mussels from the broth or dish and keep them aside while you reheat the accompanying dish. Ensure that you remove the shells if they are still intact. Simply follow these steps to reheat your mussels on the stovetop.
- Make use of skillet, pot, or pan,
- Separate the mussels from their shells,
- Put your broth or dish into your skillet, pan or pot
- Reheat your dish to the necessary temperature on the stove,
- Once your broth or dish is warm enough, remove it from the stove and add the mussels,
- As long as your broth or dish is well heated, it should be good enough to reheat your mussels well without any risk of drying out or loss of quality,
- It is best to heat up your food until it is significantly warm enough since moderate temperatures will not be sufficient enough for the mussels to warm up.
- Serve your dish when ready,
Tips For Reheating Your Mussels on A stove Top
- It is important to consider how you store your mussels before you heating them up on the stovetop.
- If the leftover mussels have been in the fridge, you can reheat your meal on the stovetop right away but if they have been in the freezer, you have to let them thaw before reheating them on the stovetop,
- Make sure that you stir your dish well so that every mussel goes through the centre,
- Whether you have broth or any other food like pasta, the principal is the same. You should never add the mussels before the remaining food has been reheated,
How to Reheat Mussels With Something Other Than Broth
- Remove your leftover mussels from the dish that accompanies them and set them aside,
- You can heat up your dish either on the stove, in the oven or in the microwave depending on the dish,
- Make sure that you warm up the food until it is very hot because lukewarm food will not reheat the mussels,
- Remove the mussels from their shells whilst you reheat the accompanying dish,
- Remove your dish from the heat and stir in the de-shelled mussels.
- Make sure that you stir them well to ensure that all of the mussels come into solid contact with the hot dish.
- Serve when ready
Best Way To Store Your Mussels
You should store your mussels in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Ensure that your mussels are tightly wrapped or sealed in an airtight container or bag. The key to storing your meals properly is to make sure they are sealed tightly into whatever storage format you use. It is even better to use double-sealed Ziploc bags. Also, you can store mussels in the freezer for up to 4 months. They will maintain their taste if they are eaten within 2 months. In order to store your meal in the freezer, wrap it up tightly or place it into the freezer bags or in an airtight container.
