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Monday, November 26, 2012

Clams Casino

Bev is not nearly the seafood fan that I am, so I’ve been eating my fill while she’s in Florida for two weeks.  When we had the shelled seafood meal, we used all but a dozen clams which I decided to make into clams casino. 

Since I’m usually ready to call it a day about mid-afternoon, I cooked them for lunch, yep you heard right, lunch, using a recipe from Allrecipes, mainly because it included bread crumbs.  With only 12 clams, I made half of the recipe shown below.

Clams Casino –  adapted from Allrecipes

Ingredients:
24 cherry stone clams
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup minced onion (I used scallions)
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper (I used red & orange sweet peppers)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dried bread crumbs
4 slices bacon (Benton’s of course)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
1. In a small skillet, cook bacon until crisp over medium heat. Crumble pretty small and set aside. (I diced then fried earlier with the bacon for the salmon chowder)
2. Add 2 tablespoons oil and butter to the skillet, and place over medium heat. Add onion, pepper, and garlic and sauté until tender. Remove from heat, and cool.
3. In a medium bowl, combine bread crumbs, bacon, oregano, cheese, and sautéed vegetables (including the oil and butter in the pan).  Mix well.
4. Wash clams with a brush and open with a chefs knife by slicing through the middle.  I set them upright on a cutting board, positioned the knife between the two shells and sliced them open – easy peasy if the knife in on the crack (see note below).
 
5. Using a spoon, scrape under the meat in one shell to dislodge the meat and put it in the other shell half then twist the shells apart – careful not to get any of the hinge shell pieces in the meat.  Scape the meat loose in the remaining shell half.
6.  Fill clam shells with the bread crumb mixture, and place on baking sheet. Sprinkle with parsley and paprika. Drizzle with olive oil.  (I misread the recipe and just mixed the parsley and paprika in with the bread crumb mixture).
 
7. Bake at 450 degrees F for 7 minutes. Serve.

Note: Only shuck the raw clams if you're sure they are fresh, otherwise use the Allrecipes method to open - "After scrubbing, place on a baking sheet and heat in a preheated 350 degree F (175 degree C) oven for 1 to 2 minutes, or until clams open. Discard any that do not open. Remove meat from shells. Chop, and set aside."  I made them like my dad did and left the clam meat intact.  Whole clams can be a little rubbery but these were fine like this.

I rarely make an OMG good dish but this was one of them with one minor change - dump all of the liquid out of the clam or it can be too salty as a couple of mine were.  A chile (jalapeno, serrano, etc.) could have been used to replace some of the sweet pepper if a little heat is desired. 
 
I don’t remember having these since my folks left Jersey in the late 70’s, but I guarantee, it won’t be that long until the next batch.  Did I say I really liked these - what a lunch?

I'm now responding to your comments and hoping you will stop back by - photos best if enlarged by clicking on them.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

11/19/12 meal date

32 comments:

  1. Very impressive lunch. I would have been right at the table with you!!! They also look great.

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    1. Next time you guys come through the area, bring the Hoffer's over and we'll whip up a batch for lunch.

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  2. I agree with Susan - a very impressive lunch. Your presentation is fantastic too. We eat a lot of seafood, especially when we're in Florida, but also up north too. With each delicious bite, you can tell yourself how good it is for you :)
    Sam

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    1. Thanks Sam and I will say I ate well while Bev was away, but pretty healthy.

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  3. Well goodness, you've been living it up. This looks fabulous Larry, what a great lunch. You ought to be nice and healthy, bout time for a big ol steak and baked potato. :)

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    1. I've eaten my share of fish and last night on Bev's first night home, we did have a steak.

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  4. OMG is right! These look amazing, Larry. And clams casino is one of my favorite ways to eat clams!! I'm just too timid to shuck them myself at home, otherwise I would probably make them nightly!!

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    1. Thanks Jenn and they are easy to shuck by doing as I described. It cuts the meat in half, but that doesn't really matter. I've made them again since then.

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    2. Will do!! But right now, it's what's for dinner tonight!!!

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  5. These would definitely be the perfect holiday appetizer! Totally making these for my family for Christmas!

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    1. I believe they are a perfect Christmas appetizer and you'll be glad you made them.

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  6. You can make those for me for lunch anyday!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Pam. They sure beat a bologna sandwich.

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  7. Bookmarked! These look mouth watering good!!!

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  8. Hi Larry, Hope you and the family had a fabulous Thanksgiving. We had a good time with family.

    That Clam Casino dish sounds delicious. We are headed to the beach in December to get some salt air in our lungs and mainly, to get our fill of fresh seafood..... Can't wait.

    Have a great day.
    Betsy

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    1. The coast is definitely the best place to get good seafood.

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  9. This looks delicious. I don't think Bev knows what she's missing.

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    1. Thanks George, but she did her share in Florida.

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  10. I think that's so funny - she's in Florida but you're eating the seafood - and beautiful seafood I might add! Very nice clams Larry. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thanks Tricia - That was my way to make up for staying home.

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  11. I'm confused because the link on my blog list said your post was pan fried trout. Not that I don't love your clams casino - they look absolutely delicious and I agree with the other comments - perfect for Christmas!

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    1. Thanks Susan and I've often wondered why the blog list says a post is there, but it's not - now I know. I posted the trout for about 2 minutes by accident then moved it back to draft.

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  12. And who doesn't love stuffed clams? Well, OK, maybe your wife, but she's rare indeed!

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    1. I think Bev may enjoy them if I chop up the clams and mix them with the stuffing - I'll try some that way.

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  13. I bet these clams casino were delicious! (get it? bet! casino! Yeah, I know,I'm a dork)

    I share Bev's preference for not eating a lot of seafood, but I like your idea of spicing it up bit with the jalapeno.

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    1. I know you're not a big fan, but if you like clam flavor, like in chowder, you may like these.

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  14. thpseclams look delicious I love seafood!

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    1. Gloria - Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

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  15. I have not made full leap to seafood either but can appreciate when a dish is good. Your clams casino is good. Enjoy your seafood festival at home.

    Hope your Thanksgiving was awesome.

    Velva

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    1. Thanks Velva, Thanksgiving was very good - post up on Wed

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