Clams Valentino Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan (preferably one that can also be used for serving) over high heat. When it begins to smoke, add the chorizo and cook until just beginning to color, 2 minutes. Add the onion and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, 2 minutes.
• Add the garlic, cockles, clam juice and wine. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the cockles are open and warmed through, 5 to 7 minutes. (Discard any cockles that do not open.) Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with bread.

Steps:

• Place the clams in a large bowl, fill with cold water and let soak for 5 minutes. Slightly agitate the clams with your hands so they release any sand, which will drop to the bottom of the bowl. Refill the water and repeat this process until no sand remains.
• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. When the butter is melted, add the onions and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, caraway seeds and thyme and continue to cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the potatoes, beer and clams and cover. Allow the clams to cook until they are cooked through and open, 5 to 6 minutes. Make sure to shake the pot every 2 minutes or so to agitate the clams to help them to open up and keep them cover in liquid.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked clams to a large bowl. Discard any unopened clams. Continue to simmer the cooking liquid uncovered until the sauce is slightly reduced, 6 to 7 minutes.
• Take the liquid off the heat, stir in the chopped parsley and remaining tablespoon butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place the clams in individual bowls, cover with the liquid and serve with crusty bread on the side.
• Cook's Note: If you can't find clams, mussel will also work for this recipe.

Steps:

• Soak the clams in cold water to purge any sand, about 20 minutes. Then scrub them clean to remove any dirt or barnacles from the outer shells and then drain.
• Add the white wine and cleaned clams to a large saucepan. Cover and heat over medium. After a few minutes, check to see if any of the clams have opened. Once they start opening, remove the opened clams to a large bowl to cool. Cover the pot and wait another minute or so before checking to see if any more clams have opened. Discard any clams that don't open after 5 minutes. Once all the clams have been removed, turn the heat down to low and let the white wine and clam juice mixture reduce until there is about 1/3 cup of liquid left.
• In the meantime, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to render its fat and slightly browns, about 2 minutes. Next, add the shallots and bell pepper. Cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Use a small fine-mesh sieve to strain the 1/3 cup of white wine-clam juice mixture into the skillet. Stir to combine and cook until the mixture is slightly reduced and cohesive, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and let cool slightly.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and preheat the oven to broil.
• Mix the panko, olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Carefully remove the top shell from each clam and use a spoon to loosen the meat from the bottom shell. Place the meat back into the bottom shell and then onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Divide the bacon mixture evenly among the clams, using a spoon to pack the mixture tightly into the shell. Top each of the clams with about 1 teaspoon of the panko mixture.
• Transfer the clams to the broiler and cook until the breadcrumbs are just golden brown, 30 seconds to a 1 minute. Keep an eye on them as the browning can happen quite quickly.
• Remove the clams from the oven and use tongs to transfer them to a serving plate. Garnish with chopped chives. Serve immediately.