- a 12-ounce bottle of beer (not dark)
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 lemon wedges
- 36 mussels, preferably cultivated, scrubbed well in several changes of water and the beards scraped off if necessary
- minced fresh parsley leaves for garnish
- In a kettle bring the beer to a boil with the bay leaves, the cloves, the coriander seeds, the mustard seeds, the cayenne, the salt, and the lemon wedges and boil the mixture, covered partially, for two minutes. Add the mussels, steam them, covered, over moderately high heat, stirring once or twice, for 4 to 7 minutes, or until they are opened, and discard any unopened ones. Serve the mussels sprinkled with the parsley.