"I remember when all they had was one hot plate and they would cook mussels and then Michele would go over to McDonald's and buy bags and bags of French fries so we could have moules et frites," observes Michael Kaplan, a costume designer.

Simmer fresh shrimp in it or cook clams or mussels in it.

Another good way to cook mussels is in a broth flavored with saffron, orange peel and tomatoes.

THIS month, I am cooking some of my family's favorite foods: mussels, which are readily available and well priced, and duck, which can always be found frozen.

Learn how to properly cook mussels, fillet a whole salmon, boil shrimp and more.