Crisp slices of aniseed flavoured fennel and juicy oranges work beautifully with the tender mussels.
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
30 fresh mussels
1 fennel bulb
2 oranges
2 baby cos lettuces
1/3 cup caper berries or 2 tablespoons capers
zest 1 lemon
Dressing
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon honey
1 clove garlic, crushed
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
METHOD
Dressing: Whisk all the ingredients in a bowl and season.
Scrub the mussels and pull off the beards.
Place in a large saucepan with a little water. Cover and cook over a high heat until opened. Discard any that stay shut.
When cool, remove the meat from the shells and place in a bowl. Toss with half of the dressing then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Trim the fennel and reserve the fronds. Slice very thinly on a mandolin or with a very sharp knife.
Peel the oranges with a knife, removing all the white pith. Cut into ½ cm thick rounds.
Separate the lettuce leaves.
To assemble: Make 2-3 layers of lettuce, fennel, oranges and mussels. Scatter over the caper berries or capers and drizzle with the remaining dressing. Grind over a little black pepper and top with the reserved fennel fronds and lemon zest.
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126
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