Better Bar Food: Indian-Spiced Crispy Mussels

Ingredients

• 1 pound 2 ounces mussels
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 rounded teaspoon finely grated root ginger (peeled weight)
• 4 large garlic cloves
• 3/4 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 1/2-4 tablespoons rice flour (I often grind rice if I don't have any in)
• 2 tablespoons semolina (optional)
• 2 dried chilies
• 12 fresh curry leaves
• lemon wedges