Broiled Mussels With Garlicky Herb Butter

Preparation

1. Step 1

   In a food processor, pulse together parsley, garlic, salt and pepper until finely chopped. Pulse in butter and 1½ tablespoons Pernod until mixture is combined. Scrape into a bowl.

2. Step 2

   In a soup pot with a tightfitting lid, combine mussels, ¼ cup pastis and ¼ cup water. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until mussels have opened, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer mussels to a bowl until cool enough to handle; remove meat from the shells (reserving shells) and transfer to a bowl.

3. Step 3

   Pry apart mussel shells and arrange half the shells on one or two large baking sheets; discard remaining shells. Place one mussel in each shell. Top each with a small spoonful of herb butter and a sprinkling of bread crumbs. Mussels may be made up to 1 day ahead up to this point; wrap baking sheets and mussels in plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to serve, heat broiler to high and arrange a rack 4 inches from the heat. Transfer tray(s) to the oven and broil until bread crumbs are golden, 1 to 2 minutes.