Show off your mussels

When I ordered moules at Bouchon in Vegas, the glossy black mussels arrived in this egg-shaped cast iron pot from Staub, and I knew I had to have one. This is one pot that has both form and function. Yes, the mussels can be cooked and served in the same pot, but the real innovation is a stainless steel strainer that divides the interior into two unequal parts. The strainer fences off the mussels from the smaller well and the pot tilts, the better to get at those delicious juices. The newer model (shown here) dispenses with the knob on the lid so you can turn the lid over and use it as a receptacle for the shells. The 2-quart size holds up to 2 pounds of mussels; the 5 1/2 -quart family size holds up to 6 pounds of mussels.

Staub 2-quart mussel pot, about $90 at Sur la Table stores. The 5 1/2 -quart size is available for about $150 online at sites including cooking.com, chefsresource.com, metrokitchen.com and other cookware sites.

-- S. Irene Virbila