Littleneck Clams With Tamarind Tomato Broth Scallion Ginger And Cellophane Noodles Recipes

CELLOPHANE NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the noodles in boiling water and drain. Heat the oil in a pan, and cooking in batches, lightly brown the pork with the five-spice powder. Add the garlic, sugar, prawns, and peanuts. Mix the rest of the ingredients for the dressing. Add the drained noodles and the meat with the prawns and season with a little extra soy and a drizzle of olive oil.

BUTTERY GARLIC STEAMED CLAMS

Steps:

• In a large skillet (that has a lid), melt 2-1/2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
• Add wine and lemon juice. Bring to a boil.
• Add clams and remaining butter. Cover and steam until clams have opened (about 7-8 minutes). Occasionally shake skillet while steaming.
• Discard any clams that do not open. Sprinkle evenly with parsley and garnish with lemon wedges, if desired. Serve with a french baguette or over a bed of cooked pasta.

LITTLENECK CLAMS WITH TAMARIND-TOMATO BROTH, SCALLION, GINGER AND CELLOPHANE NOODLES

Steps:

• In a pot, combine all the tamarind, palm sugar, lemongrass and 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Mash the mixture with a potato masher. Strain the stock through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth while pressing with the back of a wooden spoon. (This can be done 4 to 5 days in advance.) Keep refrigerated until needed.
• Purge the clams: In a bowl, combine the clams, cornmeal, and 4 cups of cold water. Place in the refrigerator for about 30 to 40 minutes, to clean out any sand. Remove the clams from the water and discard the water.
• Pass the tomatoes through a food mill to remove the seeds (they can be bitter), so that only the juice remains. Set aside.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the cellophane noodles for 4 to 6 minutes, or until done. Strain and put 1/2 cup each of the noodles in 4 wide soup bowls.
• In a wok fitted with a steamer rack (or circular cake rack), bring the tamarind stock, ginger juice, and tomato juice to a boil. Place the clams on the rack, cover, and cook until they open and release their juice into the broth. Divide the clams among the soup bowls, leaving the broth in the wok.
• Stir the sweet soy sauce, minced chile, and basil into the broth and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the fish sauce. Ladle the broth over the clams and garnish with scallions and lemon zest. Serve immediately.

STEAMED CLAMS IN GARLIC SAFFRON BROTH

Steps:

• Crumble saffron into 1 cup of boiling water. Set aside to steep.
• Heat olive oil in a large, shallow saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots, and cook until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add wine, and stir to loosen any bits from pan. Add reserved saffron broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and add clams, chopped tomato, and half the chopped parsley. Stir to combine. Cover, and let steam until clams are opened, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining parsley and pepper, and serve immediately.

CLAMS IN BROTH

Steps:

• Cook clams:
• In 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking. Add garlic and sauté until golden brown, about three minutes. Add salt, pepper, and pepper flakes, and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Increase heat to moderately high and add clams, white wine, 1 1/4 cups water, and thyme. Cover and bring to a boil. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until clams open, about 5 to 7 minutes. Discard clams that do not open after 8 minutes.
• While clams cook, grill bread:
• Preheat grill (high heat).
• Brush bread slices with olive oil on both sides and grill, flipping once, until golden brown and crispy, about 4 minutes per side. (Alternately, bread may be toasted in broiler until golden brown and crispy.) Keep warm.
• When clams are cooked, stir in parsley. Serve clams with grilled bread.