Thrace-Style Spicy Mussels

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Ingredients

1. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2. One 2-inch cinnamon stick
3. 3 pounds small mussels, scrubbed and debearded
4. 2/3 cup dry white wine
5. Freshly ground pepper
6. 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
7. 3 small dried red chiles
8. 1/4 cup finely shredded basil leaves
9. 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
10. 2 garlic cloves, minced
11. 2 teaspoons tomato paste
12. 3 ounces Greek cow's milk feta, crumbled (1/2 cup)
13. Sea salt

1. In a large saucepan, cook 1 tablespoon of the butter over moderate heat until it sizzles. Add the cinnamon stick, mussels and white wine, cover and steam until the mussels open, about 2 minutes. Pour the mussels into a large strainer set over a bowl and let cool.
2. Remove the mussels from their shells and place in a small bowl. Season with pepper and the lemon juice.
3. Wipe out the saucepan. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter, the chiles and half of the basil and parsley and cook over moderate heat for 1 minute. Add the garlic, tomato paste and the reserved mussel cooking liquid and boil until the sauce has reduced to 1 cup. Remove from the heat and add the mussels.
4. Dice the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Scatter the butter and the feta over the mussels and bring almost to a boil over moderate heat, swirling the pan to melt the butter and feta. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the remaining herbs and serve.