Fried Beer-Battered Mussels with Two Sauces

Preparation

1. Make sauces:

   Step 1

   Put 1/2 cup mayonnaise into each of 2 small serving bowls and whisk mustard into 1 bowl. Whisk cilantro, lime juice, and curry powder into other bowl. Season dipping sauces with salt and pepper and keep chilled, covered.

2. Make batter and fry mussels:

   Step 2

   Whisk beer into flour in a bowl until combined well.

   Step 3

   Heat oil in a 4-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until thermometer registers 375°F.

   Step 4

   While oil is heating, pat mussels dry between layers of paper towels, pressing lightly.

   Step 5

   Dredge 10 mussels in batter, letting excess drip off, and fry in oil, stirring, until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer mussels as fried with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then season with salt. Fry remaining mussels in batches in same manner, returning oil to 375°F between batches.

3. Step 6

   Serve mussels immediately, with dipping sauces.