Steamedclamsonthehalfshell Recipes

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.

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.

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.

GRILLED CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL WITH GINGER MIGNONNETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together all ingredients except coarse salt and clams (to make mignonnette sauce).
• Prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents in bottom of grill.
• Cover a large platter with a 1/2-inch layer of coarse salt to hold clams in place for serving. Grip 1 clam in a kitchen towel with its "hinge" facing toward you. Working over a bowl to catch any clam liquor, slide knife in between the 2 shells at a point opposite hinge and rotate clam, sliding knife between shells, until knife reaches hinge. Cut through hinge, being careful to avoid hitting center of clam. Open shells, sliding knife along underside of top shell to detach it from clam. Pull top shell off and discard, keeping clam in bottom shell, and slide knife under clam to loosen, preserving as much clam liquor as possible in bowl.
• When fire is moderately hot (you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds), set rack on grill. Using tongs, arrange clams on the half shell in 1 layer on rack and spoon some reserved liquor on them. Once clam liquor reaches a boil, allow clams to grill, uncovered, until just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully transfer clams with tongs to platter and drizzle with mignonnette.

STEAMED CLAMS

Steps:

• Place steamers in a large bowl. Add enough water to cover. Add cornmeal, and stir to thoroughly combined. Let stand for at least 3 hours and up to 6 hours to allow the clams to purge their sand.
• Remove clams from water, and rinse thoroughly. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• In a large saucepan, combine beer and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add clams, and cook, covered, until the clams have opened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove clams with a slotted spoon, discarding any clams that have not opened or ones with broken shells, to a large bowl. Sprinkle with parsley.
• Strain cooking liquid through a cheesecloth-lined sieve. Serve clams immediately with lemon wedges, hot broth, and melted butter.