Want a Cheap and Eco-Friendly Dinner? Try Mussels.

When we're thinking about cooking an inexpensive meal, we waltz right past the seafood counter. Fish and budgets usually don't mix. But in an article in The New York Times, Melissa Clark reminds us that mussels—a brothy, aromatic, decadent bowl of mussels—is not only cheap but also a responsible seafood choice.

Mussels are a meal that require precious few ingredients. A little liquid for the broth (Clark used Belgian ale), some garlic and herbs, and a little spice. It's a wonderful dish for one or two, huddled over a big pot with hunks of bread in hand.

As for the cheap and eco-friendly aspects... Clark said she paid $3.98 for two pounds. Less than $4 for two people? Hello! That's scrambled eggs or peanut butter sandwich territory. And Clark notes that mussels are considered a "Best Choice" by the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch because they are farmed in an environmentally sustainable way.

For more information on responsible seafood choices, see our post on text messages for safe fish.

Read the article in The New York Times:
• Seafood, Easy and Guilt-Free
• Recipe: Ale-Steamed Mussels with Garlic and Mustard

More mussel recipes from the Kitchn:
• Mussels Steamed in Wine and Served on a Bed of Vegetables
• Linguine with Mussels and Dandelion Greens
• Easy Appetizer: Clams and Mussels on the Grill

(Image: Flickr member manray3, licensed for use under Creative Commons)

Yum! I love mussels.

posted by emilykc on April 8th 2009 at 9:16am
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I come from Prince Edward Island, home of some of the world's best mussels (and oysters, potatoes, lobster, etc.). We get ours for about $1-$1.50 a pound. Currently, lobster is the same price per pound as bologna (there's a glut, and that's bad news for the fishermen).

The worst part, though, is that I hate mussels and lobster with a passion.

posted by little_melly on April 8th 2009 at 10:49am
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I always wonder how fresh they are and rarely buy mussels even though I love them. Curse you - Anthony Bourdain!!!

posted by SnorkelVik on April 8th 2009 at 11:09am
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I love mussels...found my love for them in Paris. But I've never once thought about preparing them at home! Thanks for the advice...I will be checking my grocery store for them!

http://www.carinagardner.com

posted by carinagardner on April 8th 2009 at 12:16pm
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I bought some at our local farmer's market, but then I had to clean and de-beard them, which took FOREVER. I love mussels, but it just wasn't worth the effort.

They can be bought pre-cleaned, right? Is there a quick way to de-beard them?

posted by Eliza on April 8th 2009 at 12:30pm
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I MISS muscles with a passion. I'm originally from Nova Scotia, used to eat them once a week. Where I live now you can't trust the quality (sigh!)

posted by Hollie on April 8th 2009 at 12:53pm
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anyone know where you can get them that cheap in the bay area? I don't think I've ever seen mussels for less than $7 a pound

posted by roseslaw on April 8th 2009 at 1:37pm
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Mussels are shockingly cheap. At least here in NYC. The thing is, I can eat so many of them, their relative cheapness can get lost in sheer volume consumed.

AND they are so quick and easy to make. A great thing if you have a couple of friends coming over because you can prep your ingredients, go shower and get ready and it takes just like 5 minutes to cook, so you aren't caught in the whole deal where you are in the kitchen rather than able to hang out. I like them in wine with a few herbs and with good bread to soak up the broth.

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posted by VirginiaWestfield on April 8th 2009 at 1:40pm
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i love PEI mussels! and i've never spent more than a few minutes to clean them. i just rinse them, pull the beards out with my fingers & scrub the shells quickly.
thanks for the reminder to get some.

posted by saltyc on April 8th 2009 at 2:00pm
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They are farmed locally in Southern California as well. Very inexpensive for both farmed clams and mussels.

We can buy them at our local farmer's markets from Carlsbad Acquaculture.

posted by JudiAU on April 8th 2009 at 2:59pm
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~$4 for 2 lbs seems really cheap for mussels. In Seattle (right next to where Penn Cove mussels are farmed) they seem to run about $4-$6/lb. Still not super expensive, but definitely not as cheap as wherever the author got hers.

posted by Grumpy Girl on April 9th 2009 at 4:55pm
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they're $5.99 for 2lbs at Whole Foods NYC

posted by tomythewho on April 10th 2009 at 6:46am
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They're $4.99 a pound at Whole Foods Market here in Chicago. I guess we're fairly far from the ocean, though.

posted by fade on violet on April 10th 2009 at 12:22pm
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