Clam Pilaf Recipes

CLAMS WITH SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS OVER RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium heat. If using a charcoal grill, build an even layer of hot coals on the bottom.
• For the rice pilaf: Melt the butter and olive oil in a large ovenproof pot or Dutch oven. Add the garlic and onions with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the coriander, cumin and nutmeg and continue to cook to toast the spices, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rice, stirring to coat, and toast, about 2 minutes. Add the bay leaf and chicken stock. Bring to a gentle boil then season with salt and cover the pot. Cover the grill and cook until the rice is cooked and all the liquid is gone, about 18 minutes.
• Meanwhile, prepare the foil packets for the clams with sausage and peppers: Lay out a double layer of large heavy-duty aluminum foil pieces in an X formation, totaling 2 packets. Distribute the garlic, peppers and onions evenly between the packets. Top each with the clams and sausage. Bring up all 4 sides of the foil, but don't seal. Divide the stock, wine and butter between each packet. Season with salt and pepper. Tightly seal the foil.
• Remove the rice from the grill, remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Place a kitchen towel over the pot and place the lid of the pot back over the kitchen towel. Let sit for 10 minutes without opening. This will help absorb the moisture in the pot so the rice is fluffy and not mushy.
• Remove the ring from the grill if it has one so the coals are exposed and place the packets directly onto the coals. Steam until the clams open and everything is heated through, 7 to 8 minutes.
• When ready to serve, transfer the rice pilaf to a serving plate. Carefully open the foil packets and pour everything over the rice pilaf, making sure to get all the juices from the packets. Sprinkle with cilantro leaves, drizzle with some olive oil and serve!
• (Alternatively, you can cook the rice pilaf in a 350 degrees F oven for 18 minutes and bake the clams with sausage and peppers foil packets in a 375 degrees F oven for 8 to 10 minutes.)

EASY PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Prepare a 1 quart baking dish with butter.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the onion in the butter until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the rice; cook until the rice is slightly golden. Pour in the chicken broth. Season with the salt. Simmer another 5 minutes. Transfer to the prepared dish.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the broth is completely absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes. Fluff with a fork to serve.

CLAM BAKE

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in large pasta pot with a strainer and simmer until clams open and the corn is tender. Strain liquid and dump ingredients onto a large table for a great festive feast.

LINGUINE WITH CLAMS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Slice the garlic and chop the fresh thyme. Combine with wine in a pot large enough for all ingredients.
• Scrub clams and add to pot. Bring to a boil and cook until the clam shells open. As they open, remove them from the pot and set aside. Continue cooking broth until it is reduced by half.
• Bring water to a boil for the linguine in a covered pot.
• Wash and trim the tomatoes, and cut in half. Squeeze out the seeds. Chop tomatoes in a food processor or with a knife. When the broth has been reduced, add the fish stock or clam juice and chopped tomatoes, and cook over high heat, continuing to reduce the liquid slightly.
• Cook the linguine according to package directions.
• Remove the clams from their shells, and pour any reserved liquid from them into the pot.
• Wash and dry basil, and cut into thin strips.
• Drain the pasta, and add to the sauce with the clams; stir to blend, and serve topped with basil.

SHRIMP PILAF

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a deep, heavy 4-5 quart pan over medium heat; add shrimp and cook, stirring, until almost opaque throughout, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• Lift out and set aside (shrimp will get more cooking time later).
• Pour pan juices into a 1-quart measuring cup; add clam juice and enough water to make 2 1/2 cups, set aside.
• Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter in pan over medium heat; add onion and garlic, cook, stirring often, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add rice and turmeric; cook, stirring for 2-3 minutes, add celery, salt, pepper and clam juice mixture.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice is almost tender to bite, about 15 minutes.
• With a fork, lightly mix tomatoes and peas into rice; scatter shrimp over top, cover and continue to cook until rice is tender to bite and liquid is absorbed, about 10 more minutes.
• Sprinkle with parsley.

CLAM SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse the clams well and drain.
• Heat the butter in a kettle and add the shallots, onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, until wilted. Add the thyme, and sprinkle with cornstarch. Stir. Add the wine and stir to blend.
• Add the clams and hot red pepper. Cover closely. Bring to a boil, and let cook 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the clams open.
• Blend the yolk and cream, and add this mixture to the soup, stirring. Bring to a boil, stirring, and remove from the heat. Spoon immediately into hot soup bowls. Sprinkle with basil, and serve with French bread.