Baked Clams With Serrano Ham Spread Recipes

CLAMS WITH SHERRY & SERRANO HAM

Steps:

• In a medium pan with a lid, heat the oil and cook the onion for 5-7 mins to soften. Rinse the clams in a colander and discard any that are opened and will not close with a sharp tap. Add the ham and garlic to the onion and cook for 1 min.
• Add the clams to the pan with the sherry, bring to the boil, cover and cook for 4-5 mins until the clams have all opened (discard any that haven't). Serve immediately, sprinkled with parsley.

CLAMS IN A CATAPLANA CASA VELHA

Steps:

• Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: Cook the onions, garlic, and green peppers in the oil in a large heavy skillet over moderate heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until limp and golden. Add the bay leaf, tomatoes, and their juice. Break up any large clumps of tomatoes, bring mixture to a simmer, cover and cook slowly for 30 minutes; add the tomato sauce, prosciutto, smoked ham, and chourico; cover, and cook 30 minutes longer. The sauce can be made as much as 2 days ahead of time but do not buy the clams until the day you plan to serve the cataplana. The sauce should be covered and refrigerated until you are ready to proceed.
• To assemble the cataplana: Spoon 1/2 the tomato mixture into the bottom of a very large cataplana pot, and bring to a simmer over moderate heat. Adjust the heat so that the mixture barely boils, arrange the clams on top, spoon in the remaining tomato sauce and wine, cover tightly, cook 10 minutes over moderately low heat, do not lift cover. Open the cataplana or kettle, scatter the parsley evenly on top, and then toss the clams lightly. If clams have not opened, cover and cook slowly for 5 to 10 minutes longer or until the clams open. Discard any that do not.
• Carry the cataplana or kettle to the table, take off lid, and ladle into large soup plates. Cook's note: Types of small clams to use are West Coast butter clams or small Littleneck clams. Also, be sure to put out a large bowl for empty clamshells.

LISA'S BEST BAKED CLAMS

Steps:

• Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Add clams, and boil until all of the clams are open, about 5 minutes. Drain, and remove the empty half of the shell from each one. Place the full halves onto a baking sheet.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the crackers, garlic powder, and parsley into a large resealable bag. Crush until fine, and mash to mix. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the cracker crumb mixture, and cook until golden brown, stirring constantly. Spoon onto the clams in the shells.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until browned and topping is crispy. Serve with lemon and hot pepper sauce.

HAM SPREAD

Steps:

• Cut up ham to put into food processor, grind on pulse until very coarse. Add the onion and dill pickle relish close to the end of this stage. Put into mixing bowl and add mustard and creamy salad dressing; mix well.