Risotto Of Clams Recipes

Steps:

• To save time, have the clams opened at the fish market. Reserve both the clams and the liquid. There should be about 1 3/4 cups of clams and about 3 cups of the liquid. Put the liquid in a kettle and add the 3 cups of water or enough to make 6 cups altogether. Bring mixture to the simmer. Cut the clams into thin slices and set aside.
• Heat the oil in another kettle and add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the onion is wilted. Add the mushrooms and cook about one minute, stirring. Add the saffron and oregano and stir. Add the tomatoes and stir to blend. Add the hot red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
• Bring to the boil and add the rice. Stir. Add about 1/2 cup of the simmering liquid. Cook until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 3 minutes. Continue cooking the rice, adding about 1/2 cup of the liquid at a time and cooking until most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir the mixture often from the bottom. You will need from 5 1/2 to 6 cups of liquid. Remember that the risotto should not be soupy, but it will be more liquid than regular rice. The total cooking time will be from about 20 to 25 minutes or until the rice is tender.
• Add the clams, parsley and butter to the rice and stir. Cook briefly, less than a minute, until the clams are heated through. If the clams are cooked for a prolonged period, they will toughen.

Steps:

• In a 2 quart saucepan melt butter over medium heat.
• Saute minced shallots in butter until soft but not browned.
• Add the rice and cook until the rice becomes translucent.
• Add the wine and cook until nearly dry.
• Add one cup of hot, not boiling, clam juice.
• Stir the rice continually as it cooks.
• When the rice absorbs all the juice add another cup and continue to stir the rice.
• Continue in this manner until you add the last cup of clam juice.
• At this time the rice should be fully cooked. If not add a little water and continue to stir and cook until the rice is just cooked through.
• Next, add the clam meat and cook for one minute.
• Add the cream and season the rice to taste.
• Cook for one additional minute.
• Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil and pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta is golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pancetta to a paper-towel-lined plate and reserve.
• To the pan with the pancetta drippings, add the shallots, garlic and salt. Cook until fragrant, stirring with a wooden spoon, 2 minutes. Stir in the rice and coat with all the flavors of the pan. Toast the rice for 2 minutes. Deglaze with 1 cup of the prosecco and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid is almost entirely absorbed. Add 1 cup of the clam juice and cook, stirring, until almost completely absorbed, 6 to 8 minutes. Continue adding the clam juice, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring often and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next. Cook until the rice is tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, to a small saucepan, add the remaining 1/2 cup prosecco and the New Zealand clams. Cover the pan and place over high heat. Cook, shaking occasionally, until the clams have opened, about 4 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open. Set aside.
• To finish the risotto, stir in the Parmesan, butter, reserved pancetta and the chopped littleneck clams along with their juice. Cook until the clams are cooked through and the butter and cheese are melted in, an additional 2 minutes. The risotto should have some movement and not be too thick.
• In a small bowl, mix together the parsley and lemon zest. Stir half of the mixture into the risotto. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the steamed New Zealand clams over the top of the risotto and finish with the remaining parsley mixture.