Black-shelled mussels are in their season now, one of the better — and better-priced — sources of protein for quick meals. Buy mussels at markets or grocers that traffic in fish; turnover is key to ...

1. Inspect the mussels and discard any that are open (and don't close when squeezed or tapped) or have broken shells. If any of the mussels have beards, the small stringy clump attached to one side, ...