mussles, beer, and bread — Les Petites Gourmettes

Ingredients

• 4 pounds live mussels
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
• 1/4 cup peeled and julienned carrot
• 1/4 cup diced red or green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1 medium shallot, peeled and diced
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 1/4 cup mixed fresh minced herbs; such as oregano, thyme, rosemary
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 12-ounce bottle dark beer
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 loaf hot fresh Italian or French bread, sliced