Recipe by Rachel Phipps
This easy mussel dish is given a real naturally salty hit of the sea by steaming them with fresh samphire.
TMF TIPS: How To Choose Sustainable Mussels
Bivalves such as mussels are one of the most if not the most sustainable seafood option available. They are rich in protein and essential nutrients and so widely abundant that they have the potential to feed billions of people in countries battling starvation. Bivalves such as mussels, clams, and oysters are sustainable for many reasons. Not only do they need no active care— they don’t have to be fed, given antibiotics or chemicals to be farmed, but they also sequester carbon, meaning they capture and store carbon, so it is not released back into the Earth’s atmosphere. According to David Willer, a zoologist at the University of Cambridge, although meat and fish have a more significant environmental impact than plant-based foods, the ecological footprint of bivalve aquaculture is lower than most arable crops in terms of carbon emissions, land and water usage.
As is the case with anything you put in your body (but especially with a filter feeder such as mussels), one thing to consider before you buy or order them at a restaurant is where they are sourced from. Since mussels and other bivalves eat what is all around them, depending on their environment, they can concentrate harmful micro-organisms, toxins, and chemicals in their bodies. When eating any animal product whole and consuming it raw or lightly cooked, it is essential to be aware of the potential health risks associated with it.
Luckily, many programs are in place to ensure that seafood products such as bivalves have been assessed before reaching consumers and as always, if you do your research and purchase from reputable sources, you should feel comfortable eating these sustainable little creatures. For more information on the topic of sustainable seafood, check out How to Eat Seafood – The Sustainable Way on our resources page.
When you choose to eat mussels, remember ...
being mindful matters!
If you need tips on how to make this recipe, click on the link below:
Mussels with Chilli & Samphire
Ingredients
- 600 g Fresh Mussels
- 1 Handful Samphire
- ½ Large Red Chilli roughly chopped
- Olive Oil
- 1 Echalion Shallot finely chopped
- 1 Large Garlic Clove finelly chopped
- Dry White Wine
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