Shellfish

Question 1

How to tell a prawn is cooked and what you are looking for?

Answer 1

You are looking for the prawn to turn from translucent to opaque. They will also turn from a blue colour to a pinky orange colour on the
outside. The other sign to look out for is that the prawn will start to curl.

Question 2

Classification of prawns, mussels, clams

Answer 2

Prawns are a crustacean, mussels and clams are are bivalve molluscs

Question 3

How to prep mussels prior to cooking

Answer 3

Check none are damaged, if they are discard them. If any are overly heavy they are full of sand discard those. If any are open and won’t shut then also discard those.

To clean them dunk them quickly into a bowl of water before removal of beard and barnacles then put into clean water.

Question 4

How to tell mussels are alive?

Answer 4

Their shells should be shut, if they are open give them a few taps and they should close. If they stay open they are dead.

Question 5

How to tell mussels are safe to eat after cooking?

Answer 5

Mussels will not change colour but will firm up a little. They will also open their shells fully once
cooked.

Question 6

How do you store shellfish?

Answer 6

Store live shellfish in the bottom of the fridge, ideally on crushed ice in a tray which allows the water
to drain away. Alternatively, a damp cloth would be adequate for short term storage.