Manila Clams On The Half Shell With Fennel Lemon And Chiles Recipes

MANILA CLAMS

Steps:

• In a large saute pan cook the garlic in the olive oil until golden brown. Do not burn. Add the clams to the hot oil. **Be careful not to burn yourself. Add the wine, red pepper, fennel seed, lemon zest and juice.
• Raise the heat to high and steam the clams for 6 to 8 minutes until all the clams are open. Arrange the clams in 6 bowls using a slotted spoon. Add the tomatoes and parsley to the boiling broth and cook for 1 minute. Ladle the broth over the clams and serve.

RAW CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL

Steps:

• Scrub the clams under cold water with a stiff brush to remove the dirt. Next, find a durable thick cloth and fold it over several times to create a square; this will steady the clams as you shuck them and also protect your hand. Using the towel as a mitt, hold the clam firmly in the palm of your towel-covered hand; have a small bowl handy to catch the delicious juice. Insert the tip of a clam or oyster knife between the shell halves, and work it around one side to the other as you pry it open. Using the knife, cut the muscles away from the top shell, bend the shell back, and discard it. Run the knife underneath the clam to detach it completely, but leave it in its shell (take care not to cut the meat itself.) Tip out the clam juice into the bowl and pour it back over the shucked clams. Nestle the clams in a bed of crushed ice or rock salt to keep them steady. Spoon the cucumber mignonette on top and serve as part of a raw shellfish bar.
• In a small bowl, combine the rice wine vinegar, shallots, ginger, cucumber, black pepper, and cilantro; mixing with a fork. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour or up to the day before you plan to serve, to allow the flavors to come together. Serve with raw oysters and clams.

MANILA CLAMS WITH BASIL AND CHILES

Steps:

• Place a large, deep frying pan or wok over high heat.
• When the pan is hot, add the canola oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan.
• When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the garlic.
• Cook, stirring, until golden, about 30 seconds.
• Add the chile pepper and the red and yellow bell peppers and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly cooked, 1-2 minutes.
• Add the clams, discarding any that fail to close to the touch.
• Stir to coat with the oil.
• Cook, tossing and stirring, for 2 minutes, then stir in the chile paste and the fish sauce.
• Cook, stirring frequently, until the clams have opened, 3-5 minutes longer.
• Stir in the basil and mint.
• Transfer the clams to a platter or serving bowl, discarding any that failed to open.
• Serve immediately.

CLAMS WITH LEMONGRASS AND CHILES

Steps:

• Dissolve 2 tablespoons salt in a large bowl of cold water. Add clams. Let soak at room temperature 15 minutes. Drain.
• Scrub clams under cold running water. Transfer to a large bowl of fresh cold water. Repeat, scrubbing clams and rinsing in fresh water. Drain. Refrigerate, uncovered, until ready to use, up to 8 hours.
• Put reserved lemongrass leaves in a large pot with 1/2 inch of water. Bring to a boil. Add clams. Steam, covered, until clams open, 6 to 7 minutes. Drain. Discard any unopened clams and the leaves.
• Add oil, lemongrass, shallots, garlic, and chiles. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until lemongrass and shallots turn golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add clams to pot, and gently stir to coat.
• Stir together lime juice and fish sauce in a small bowl; pour over clams. Transfer clams to a large serving bowl; sprinkle with cilantro. Garnish with lime wedges.

CLAMS WITH FENNEL AND PERNOD

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, fennel bulb with fronds, garlic and fennel seeds; sauté until fennel bulb is tender, about 10 minutes. Add wine; boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and Pernod; simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors. Add clams to pot; cover and cook until clams open, about 8 minutes (discard any that do not open). Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle with oregano. Garnish with lemon.

STEAMED CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL

Steps:

• In a large pan heat butter and oil.
• Saute shallots 2 minutes add garlic give a couple stirs then add white wine simmer 5 minutes or till reduced in half.
• Add can diced tomatoes.
• Add seasonings and bring to boil.
• Add frozen clams just to heat.
• Place on a platter and drizzle olive oil over clams.
• Garnish with parsley.
• Serve with a nice fresh crusty bread.
• Or toss clams into cooked pasta for a meal.

MANILA CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL WITH FENNEL, LEMON, AND CHILES

Steps:

• Combine the fennel, lemon juice, oil, and chile in a small bowl and let marinate for 10 minutes or so while you shuck the clams.
• Shucking clams is a little different from shucking oysters. You can do it from the hinge with an oyster knife, or you can get a clam knife and go in from the lip side. If you're going to do it, ask your fishmonger, very sweetly, whether he or she will demonstrate the technique for you if you've never done it before. The clam knife has a thin blade and slides through the lip with the flat side, not the tip.
• Place the shucked clams on a large plate. Pile the fennel mixture high on each clam, spooning some of the liquid over the top of each one. Serve immediately.