Pacific Northwest Microwbrew Steamers With Bread - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter
12 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons minced shallots (or sweet onion)
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon or 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh tarragon
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup chopped fresh chives
1 (12 ounce) bottle northwest amber ale
2 lbs fresh mussels (debearded)

Preparation

In a large non-reactive pot with lid, melt butter.
Add garlic, pepper, shallots, tarragon, thyme, parsley, chives and beer.
Heat just to a simmer and stir in mussels or clams.
Cover and steam 4-7 minutes till shells have opened.
Discard any that have not opened.
Put clams in individual bowls and ladle broth over.
Serve with crusty bread for sopping.