Mussels in Spicy Green Broth

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Make the cilantro butter: Put softened butter in a bowl. Add ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric and black pepper. Mash together with a wooden spoon to combine. Add the cilantro and chiles, and mash well, extracting as much green cilantro juice as possible. Stir in lime zest and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Form the butter into a log, then wrap with waxed paper or film and chill to firm slightly.

2. Step 2

   As the butter chills, prepare the mussels: In a large bowl, wash mussels in cold water. Pull off any “beards” and discard (also discard any smashed or gaping mussels). Quickly rinse the mussels and set aside.

3. Step 3

   Put oil in a heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add shallot, season with salt, and let sizzle for a minute without browning. Add garlic and white wine, and turn heat to high and bring to a boil.

4. Step 4

   Add mussels, stir well, and cover. Cook mussels over high heat, stirring once, for 5 to 7 minutes, until all mussels have opened. Turn off heat and leave lid on.

5. Step 5

   To serve, cut cilantro butter into 1-inch chunks and stir into the mussels (4 tablespoons is probably enough, but use it all if you wish).

6. Step 6

   Ladle mussels and broth into heated wide shallow soup bowls. Place a bowl on the table to collect empty shells. Pass lime wedges along with a warm crusty baguette, for sopping up the broth.