MUSSELS WITH FENNEL AND ITALIAN BEER

Mussels with Fennel and Italian Beer image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Time 25m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 small head fennel, diced small
1 clove garlic, chopped
Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper
Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper
1 pound mussels, washed and beards removed
1 cup Italian beer, such as Peroni
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
Crusty bread, for serving

Steps:

Heat a 3 1/2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and heat another 30 seconds. To the hot pan, add the shallots and fennel. Sweat, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until fragrant and beginning to soften, 2 minutes. Add the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook another 2 minutes. Add the mussels and stir gently once or twice in order to coat in the oil. Add the beer and stir one more time. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook until the mussels have opened, about 4 minutes, stirring halfway through. Discard any unopened mussels. Stir in the butter and tarragon and season with 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Serve with slices of crusty bread to dip in the sauce.