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Stuffed Quahogs
Baked Stuffed Clams adapted from Simply Recipes
Although this recipe calls for fresh clams, you can also make this with canned minced clams (use one 6.5 ounce can, drained of all but 1 Tbsp of clam juice). Bake as directed on clam shells, or bake in a casserole dish and use as a dip with crackers.
If you've purchasing clams, keep them in the refrigerator covered with a damp, wet towel. If you have dug up your clams, keep them covered with cool sea water in a bucket. Throw away any cracked or broken clams.
Yield: Makes 10-12 stuffed clams. Serves 3-6.
INGREDIENTS
☐ 10-12 large chowder or quahog clams, rinsed, sand and grit removed
☐ 3 Tbsp minced onion
☐ 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
☐2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 2 teaspoons dried)
☐ 1 clove garlic, minced
☐ 1 Tbsp lemon juice
☐ 1 cup bread crumbs
☐ 1 Tbsp clam juice (or cooking liquid from steaming the clams)
☐ Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
☐ 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
METHOD
1 Fill a large pot with 1 1/2 to 2 inches of water. Bring water to a boil. Add the clams to the boiling water. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the clams steam for approximately 6-10 minutes, until the shells open. Remove clams from the pot and let cool enough to handle. Discard any dams that have not opened (if they haven't opened it means they were dead to begin with and should not be eaten).
2 Remove the clam meat from the clams (not the clam foot which is attached to the shell) and mince finely. Break apart the clam shells from their hinges. Rinse. Pick 10-12 of the cleanest, nicest looking clam shells and set aside.
3 Preheat oven to 350°F. In a sauté pan, melt the butter on medium heat and add the minced onion. Once the onions have softened (2-3 minutes), add the garlic. Cook the garlic for 1 minute, then add the parsley, bread crumbs, minced clams, lemon juice, and dam juice. Stir until the stuffing mixture is completely moistened. (If too dry, add a bit more butter or clam juice; if too wet, add a bit more bread crumbs.
4 Lay clam shells on a baking dish. Scoop a little stuffing mixture onto each dam shell. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, until Parmesan is lightly browned on top.
Variations:
Cook a few strips of bacon until fat renders but not brown or crispy, chop and mix in with the stuffing. Use crumbled up Ritz crackers for the breadcrumbs.
Put a little piece of cheddar cheese undemeath the clam mixture in each clam, that way you get a little melted cheese with each bite!
Tip: 1
Save your biggest, prettiest clam shells to use for future stuffed clam dishes. To clean, just rinse them off and run them through the dishwasher with your dishes.
