Clams Al Forno Recipes

SCOTT URE'S CLAMS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Wash clams to remove any dirt or sand.
• In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic; saute for 1 minute, or until tender. Pour in the white wine. Boil until wine has reduced to half its original volume.
• Add clams, cover, and steam till clams start to open. Add butter, cover, and cook till most or all of the clams open. Discard any that do not open. Transfer clams and juice to 2 large bowls. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve.

BAKED CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL: VONGOLE GRATINATE AL FORNO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Scrub the clams under cold running water.
• Pry them open and rinse out any sand or grit.
• Gently separate the top and bottom shells, loosening and allowing the clam to divide, with some remaining on the top shell and some remaining on the bottom shell.
• Use a knife to loosen the clam in the shell, removing any sand or grit that may have been under the clam. All of the clams may not divide evenly between the top and bottom shell. Cut these clams into small pieces and distribute among the other shells. You should have at least 16 clamshell halves to fill and bake. Arrange the clam-filled shells on a baking sheet and set aside.
• In a small bowl, toss together the bread crumbs, parsley, and garlic. Use a fork to stir the olive oil into this mixture. It should be moist but not oily. Set aside.
• Fill each clam with a portion of the topping mixture, spreading it evenly over the clam to the edge of the shell. The filling should be about 1/8-inch thick.
• Bake until the topping begins to brown slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and adjust oven temperature to broil. Place the clams under the broiler and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

CLAMS AL FORNO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500°F.
• Place the clams in a single layer in a baking dish.
• Scatter all the remaining ingredients except the scallions and lemon wedges over the clams.
• Roast the clams for 9 minutes; turn them and roast for about 9 to 10 minutes longer, until they pop open.
• Discard any that don't open.
• To serve, place 6 clams in each bowl and divide the broth among them. Serve piping hot, garnished with scallions and lemon wedges.

VENETIAN CURRIED CLAMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
• Heat a large oven-proof skillet over high heat. Add the clams, onions, curry powder, and butter. Toss until the onions start to brown.
• Top the clams with all the remaining ingredients except the heavy cream, scallions and crostini. Bring to a boil, transfer to the oven and roast for 9 minutes, turn the clams and roast for about 9 to 10 minutes longer, until they pop open. Layer crostini on platter.Transfer the clams and most of the solids on bread. On the stovetop, over a medium high flame, add the cream to the liquid left in the skillet. Stir constantly until the cream is completely incorporated. Pour liquid over clams, top with scallions and serve immediately.

AL FORNO CLAM STEW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the sausages and boil for 8 minutes to remove excess fat. Drain, let cool for 10 minutes then cut on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
• Lay the clams in a single layer in a flameproof roasting pan. Top with the sausage and the rest of the ingredients, except the scallions and lemon, and bring to a boil on top of the stove. Then put the pan in the oven. Roast the clams for 8 minutes. Mix the ingredients and roast for 5 to 10 minutes longer, or until all the clams have opened.
• Place 12 clams in each of 4 large, heated bowls and pour the broth over them, evenly distributing the sausages, onions, endive and tomatoes. Garnish with julienned scallions and lemon wedges.

AGNELLO AL FORNO

Steps:

• Layer onions, garlic, and potatoes in the slow cooker.
• In a skillet over med-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon oil until very hot; add half the meat and cook until browned on all sides (4-5 minutes); transfer to the cooker.
• Repeat with the remaining oil and meat.
• Add half of the herbs and all of the pepper to the cooker; season to taste with salt.
• Top with the tomatoes and dot with butter.
• Cover and cook on LOW until the lamb is fork-tender, 8-10 hours.
• An hour before the end of cooking time, sprinkle the remaining herbs on top of the meat and vegetables; serve with rice and green salad.

CLAMS WITH FRIED CILANTRO, GINGER, GARLIC AND BACON

Steps:

• Steam the clams with the water and butter in a covered pan for 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and keep covered. On a medium flame fry the garlic, ginger, cilantro, shallots, and bacon separately in the safflower oil. They will lightly brown in seconds so stand ready with a slotted spoon. The ginger takes the longest, but that means 10 seconds. The bacon is done in literally a blink of an eye. When the cilantro leaves turn dark green; it's done. Drain each on a paper towel.
• Save the clam nectar to use later. Discard one shell from each clam. On a single platter or individual plates, place the clams on their half shells. Drizzle with olive oil. Scatter the fried garlic, ginger, cilantro, shallots and bacon over the clams. Serve warm and eat by hand.