Wednesday 8 October 2014

Mussels

Last week, having spent an exhausting morning in B&Q (the perils of being a landlady), then several hours unloading building materials, we decided, as it was a glorious afternoon and Getting Near the End of Summer, to make the most of the weather.

We headed down to Godrevy, my mum’s favourite beach as a child, to have a scamper along the beach and, as it was low tide, pick mussels. We were so lucky - it was a wonderfully hazy warm afternoon, there was a slight breeze and, not having been there for a while, the lighthouse is always stunning. In fact it’s got to be one of my favourite beaches, too.

There is a certain rock where large mussels grow that is only visible at low tide and we got there just in time, having had a wonderful walk over the dunes and onto the beach. Moll sheds her 9 years and becomes a puppy again, roaring over the golden flat sands with pure joy, ears streaming behind her. We picked several bags of mussels and then decided to stop at the Blue Anchor (a favourite pub) on the way home.

“Shall we have fish and chips?” said Mr B, tummy rumbling.
“We’ve got mussels,” I pointed out.
He was convinced I was going to give him food poisoning (which he’s had before from mussels) but after a pint of Middle was prepared to give it a go. I checked with Mel (my cooking advisor) just to make sure, and we soon made a meal of steamed mussels, with a white wine, garlic and coconut sauce served with noodles, peppers and prawns.

The mussels were so fresh you could taste the sweetness and the sea, and it was one of the more memorable meals I’ve had. And neither of us got food poisoning.

Just as well. I would never have heard the end of it.

10 comments:

Dc said...

You would have had to tie me down to an anchor to get me to eat them, not at all keen on anything like that! Can't beat a good seaside walk.

Flowerpot said...

DC - just as well we're all different!

Trubes said...

How wonderful to be able to pick your very own fresh mussels on the beach. I had a bad 'do' with mussels , I was quite poorly , in Spain, I'm always very careful now where I get them from. Usually when I have my delivery of fresh fish and seafood from The Cornish Fisherman.
I still struggle a bit eating mussels but they are so delicious and make such a tasty broth to dip some crusty bread in.
Do take it carefully re soreness from your scar as it could be cause problems for you, which I'm sure you are aware of....Hark at me, I sound like an old mother hen but I've been there, done that, and went back to work too soon1
Glad Molls enjoyed her run along the beach, she's such a pretty little doggie..xx
bye for now,
love Di. xx
BTW new post up for your perusal should you wish.. Di xx

Flowerpot said...

Trubes - lots of people seem to have had bad experiences with mussels but these were wonderful an d so fresh. I have to be careful re scar - it won't let me do much and I still can't wear jeans which is a real nuisance. Thanks for your concern Di xx

Kim @ Him, Him Me said...

Hi Sue,
Would love to see Mol in puppy mode on the beach.
Glad you enjoyed the mussels, I think they are a bit of an acquired taste, love them but oysters would me another matter

Take care

Chris Stovell said...

I love mussels... but I must admit, I'm not brave enough to pick our own!

Akelamalu said...

It all sounds absolutely perfect!

Flowerpot said...

Kim - I agree about oysters too!

Flowerpot said...

Chris - well I don't think I would have been without bit of persuasion!

Flowerpot said...

Ak - it was lovely!