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I stink at shooting mussels. They are now officially on my list of foods that I don’t like taking photos of. I never realised it until now but I am embarrassingly clueless about how to make mussels with their black shells and creepy innards look good. Plus there’s definitely an art to arranging mussels gracefully to which I failed horribly (I’m all for the dump-in-bowl method!).
So they may be photogenically challenged under my hands but at least they tasted awesome. But then again, how can it not when you’re pairing one of my favourite seafoods with my favourite cooking booze and my favourite vegetable? But for the love of all that holy, please please do not skip the anchovies. I realise it’s a polarising ingredient and that people who eats them straight from the jar and piles them high on pizzas, are a rare breed (oh gawd how I love these salty fishies!). But anchovies are absolutely brilliant in cooking with their strong umami flavour and they give dishes that extra special savoury punch with none of their stinky fishy taste. But if you must, feel free to reduce or skip it entirely. Just don’t forget the crusty bread to mop up the remainder of the slurp-worthy sauce. It’s far more classier this way then drinking it from the bowl.
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I CANNOT take decent photos of brown (or green) foods. I think your photos look good – I’d certainly tuck into that big bowl of mussels with no problems at all!
Miss Piggy recently posted..In My Kitchen: September
What in heaven’s name is wrong with your photos? I’ll use the sherry, [think of replacement for all that cream :) !], and be thankful for the tip on anchovies! Absolutely hate to tell you, the little wrigglers I use do not arrive in oil in a small oval tin, but robustly say ‘hello’ from a Scandinavian glass jar, heads, tails and all :)! No problems for me – learnt to behead and disembowel them from about age three!! Love the recipe and shall pass it on!!!!
Oh how I love mussels.. The best part is mopping up all the juices with crusty bread. I, too, didn’t realise how easy they were to cook, only having made them once in my life. I think your photos are amazing still <3
Phuoc’n Delicious recently posted..Bake Sale for Cancer Council
Well I think you made them look pretty awesome! Love the golden flecks on the shells and the vivid contrast of the chives and the glossy black shells. Super pretty!
Christine recently posted..Strawberry, Lychee and Coconut Water Frappe
I just have no skill at food photography, period. You still made mussels look drool worthy. I love me a good bowl of mussels. I have to admit, I only ever ate it with rice at home (dad’s special version of x.o). I don’t think I’ve ever ordered them out or even attempted to cook it at home. I have a fear of cooking seafood…
Tina @ bitemeshowme recently posted..Chophouse, Sydney CBD
Love mussels and this post reminds me of how long it’s been since I’ve cooked them. I usually do it in a tomato and white wine sauce but the creamy sherry sauce looks amazing!
Jacq recently posted..Pub Life Kitchen, Surry Hills
My word, mussels hardly need ‘spicing up’ to taste good but that sauce looks delicious!
thecitygourmand recently posted..Jus†ice
These mussels look delicious!! Don’t know what you’re on about.. I struggle taking photos of single items like a cookie or cupcake. Guess I don’t have the patience to ‘style’ the photo..
Natashia@foodonpaper recently posted..Lemon and White Chocolate Shortbread
Considering the subject, I reckon your photos look good! Sherry in the sauce, hey… that sounds delicious!
leaf (the indolent cook) recently posted..mini almond lemon thyme cakes (gluten free)
Love love love mussels, and may I say, your pics make them shine! I need mussels!
I am printing this recipe. All I do with mussels is boil it with a soda sometimes add butter to it and that’s it. That is all I know but now I know more. Thanks to you!
What a lovely recipe, delicious!
A Bowl Of Mush recently posted..Victoria Sponge Birthday Cake
Looks fantastic!
Anna recently posted..Галета с инжиром и малиной
Photos look pretty good to me! I’d devour them!
Having lived in Belgium for the majority of my life, where people eat mussels nearly every day when they are in full season (all months without the letter “r”) – this might be slightly exaggerated, however I used to eat them very very often, I must say this recipe is the best one I have ever made !
I am so happy to be living in WA in the mean time [moved over from QLD], where yummy mussels are very easy to come by, so no excuse for not making them at least once a week.
And there is nothing wrong with your photos of mussels! You excel at them ! Please keep on posting and I will keep on cooking !
Hi Chrisje, currently I’m itching to make a whole seafood stew with that sherry cream sauce lol. But thank you so much, I’m so happy that you loved it, especially since you use to live in Belgium (by far one of my favourite countries when it comes to food, beer, chocolate and mussels!). :D
I don’t see any issue with the photos. They’re just perfect. I will definitely try making the mussels sherry cream source sometime. It sounds divine.
Janice Lopez recently posted..Kim Kardashian Tape News Review
oh man they look scrumptious! making it this wkend :D
I usually cook my mussels with white wine and cream but sherry sounds like an intriguing choice!