Baked Clams With Roasted Sweet Shallots Fennel Recipes

BAKED CLAMS WITH ROASTED SWEET SHALLOTS & FENNEL

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
• Halve the unpeeled shallots and place cut-side-up in a large roasting tray. Trim the fennel, slice into 2cm wedges and add to the tray.
• Using a pestle and mortar, bash the fennel seeds and chilli flakes, then sprinkle over the shallots. Drizzle over 4 tablespoons of oil, season and bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the shallots are golden and coming away from their skins.
• Wash the clams under cold running water, scrubbing the shells and pulling off any seaweed stuck to them. Make sure they are all tightly closed - tap any open ones, and if they don't close, discard.
• Remove the shallots and fennel from the oven and turn up the oven to full whack. Remove the shallots and fennel to a plate, taking care to leave all the lovely juices in the tray. Remove and discard the skins from the shallots, then set aside until needed.
• Add the clams to the tray of juices and pour over the wine. Pick and finely chop the parsley, finely grate the lemon zest, and mix most of it through.
• Halve the lemon, rub with oil and pop in the pan, then cover the dish with tin foil and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the clams have opened (discard any that have not).
• Sprinkle the remaining lemon zest and parsley over the dish and gently fold everything through the lovely cooking juices. Serve with glasses of chilled Italian wine and crusty bread.

CLAMS WITH FENNEL BROTH

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the celery, fennel, leeks, shallots and garlic and cook on very low heat until they become tender and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the thyme, bay leaf and white wine, increase the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the clam juice, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Stir in the creme fraiche. Add the clams, cover the pot, and cook until all the clams have opened, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with the baguette

BAKED OYSTERS WITH SPINACH FENNEL PURéE AND CRISP-FRIED SHALLOTS

Steps:

• In a small skillet heat the oil over moderately high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it fry the shallots, stirring, until they are browned and crisp. Transfer the shallots with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, discarding the oil from the skillet, and sprinkle them with salt to taste. The fried shallots may be made 2 days in advance and kept wrapped in the paper towels at room temperature.
• In a kettle cook the spinach in the water clinging to the leaves with the fennel seeds, covered, over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes, or until it is wilted. In a colander drain the spinach mixture and press out the excess liquid. In a food processor purée the spinach mixture with 2 tablespoons of the butter and salt and pepper to taste and transfer the purée to a small bowl. In the small skillet cook the fennel bulb in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is just tender and stir it into the spinach purée. The spinach fennel purée may be made 1 day in advance and kept, its surface covered with plastic wrap, chilled.
• Arrange the oysters in the reserved shells in a jelly-roll pan filled with some of the coarse salt (to balance the shells), divide the spinach fennel purée among them, and bake the oysters in a preheated 400°F. oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are just cooked through. Top the oysters with the fried shallots, garnish them with the fennel sprigs, and arrange them on a platter filled with more of the coarse salt.
• To shuck oysters:
• Scrub the oysters thoroughly with a stiff brush under running cold water. Hold each oyster flat side up on a work surface with the hinged end away from you, insert an oyster knife between the shells at the hinged end, twisting the knife to pop open the shell, and slide the blade against the flat upper shell to cut the large muscle and free upper shell. If the shell crumbles and cannot be opened at the hinge, insert the knife between the shells at the curved end of the oyster, pry the shells open, and sever the large muscle. Break off and discard the upper shell and slide the knife under the oyster to release it from the bottom shell.

ROASTED SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
• Cut the ends off the shallots and peel them. If you are struggling with getting the skin off, make a shallow cut along the length of the shallot and then peel. Place them on a small baking sheet and drizzle them lightly with olive oil.
• Pour on the balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Use a rubber spatula or your hands to mix well.
• Lay down the thyme sprigs and cover the pan with foil. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove and discard the thyme sprigs. Allow to cool slightly and serve.