Clam Stuffing Recipes

BAKED CLAM "STUFFIES"

Steps:

• Steam clams: Preheat oven to 350 F. Rinse clams in water to remove any sand or grit. (Alternatively, clams can be soaked in water up to 1 hour.) In a large Dutch oven over high heat, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. Add clams to the boiling water; cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook until clams are open, 7-10 minutes, checking after 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables.
• Vegetables: Small-dice the onion. Remove and discard the seeds and white ribs from bell pepper, then small-dice. Trim away the top and bottom of the celery, then small-dice. Roughly mince the garlic. Set all the vegetables aside.
• After 5 minutes, check the clams; transfer the ones that have opened to a bowl. Continue steaming the remaining clams until they are all open, discarding the ones that are cracked or don't open; reserve the clam broth in the Dutch oven. Allow the clams and clam broth to cool.
• Stuffing: In a large sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. When foamy, add vegetables and sweat until soft, stirring occasionally, 6-8 minutes. Meanwhile, remove clams from their shells; set the shells aside. Optional: Cut the clams in half, then remove and discard any dark detritus in the bellies. Roughly chop the clams, then set aside.Separate the clam shells at their hinges; rinse and dry, then pick 12 of the nicest-looking half-shells and scrape off any muscle that remains attached. Set aside.
• When the vegetables are soft, add the chopped clams, chorizo, and red pepper flakes. Stir and cook until the chorizo fat begins to render, 1-2 minutes. Meanwhile, place Ritz crackers in a plastic zip-top bag. Crush into a coarse meal using a rolling pin, and set aside. (Note: If using unseasoned breadcrumbs, add a pinch of dried parsley, dried thyme, and dried oregano, and mix to combine.)
• Set a coffee filter into a small bowl. Strain about 1 cup of the reserved clam broth through the filter to remove sand and impurities. Set aside the strained broth.To the clam mixture, add ½ cup breadcrumbs, the crushed crackers, and ½ cup strained broth. Stir to combine, adding more breadcrumbs as necessary for a moist, stuffing-like consistency. Turn off heat and let cool, 10 minutes.
• Bake: Place the 12 clean, dried shells on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Heap each shell with plenty of clam stuffing, lightly packing it so nothing spills out. Top with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bake until Stuffies are heated through and begin to brown on top, 15-20 minutes.When Stuffies are lightly brown, turn on the broiler. Place the tray on the top rack, 6 inches from the heat source, and broil until brown and crusty on top, about 2 minutes. (Keep a close eye on the Stuffies so they don't burn!)
• Remove from oven and arrange shells on a serving platter. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges and hot sauce on the side.

STUFFIES (STUFFED CLAM) A NEW ENGLAND FAVORITE

Steps:

• 1. **Note: I had a mix that was called "Clam Dip Spices" from Blue Crab, which I added instead of the oregano. I've listed oregano to use as a substitute.
• 2. Start with a broth: BE AWARE THIS SERVES ONE PERSON as a meal. Two sides for one. Double recipe but be sure to watch for sand inside those clams! Since I wanted to use a "fishy" type broth and didn't have one I created my own. I took the whole uncooked clam and scrubbed the outside, under cold water, really well to remove sand. I then put two cups of water in a large Dutch oven (I am doing this to allow the clam to pop and NOT let the sand IN the clam get into the broth. The clam should be able to pop freely and not be completely covered by the broth) To the water add dill, celery seed, lemon juice, chives, parsley, oregano (or BLUE CRAB'S Clam Dip Spice), pepper, and cooking sherry into a pan. I placed the CLEANED clam into the pot and simmered until the clam "popped". You can hear it! Remove clam CAREFULLY as there will be sand in the popped clam. Remove broth mixture from heat.
• 3. Rub-a-dub: I was surprised at how much sand was still in the shell, so I carefully removed it and proceeded to remove the clam and rinse under water. Take cleaned clam and dice and put in hot water mixture. Reserve Shell for baking.
• 4. Stuffing Mixture: I took the pan of broth and clam and added stuffing mix. I tossed well and made sure the stuffing was wet enough to shape. It should be quite wet, but not runny. If you add too much water you can always add stuffing. This is the point where I would add any sausage. I like to use the small cubes of Stove Top, so I can get a more uniformed stuffing.
• 5. Stuff those Puppies!: I then rinsed off the shells, piled the stuffing on and mounded. I then used a nice SMOKED paprika on top. There are spicy smoked paprika's (which I used). There is quite a bit of difference between plain and smoked paprika. Any extra stuffing you can always roll into balls on the baking sheet.
• 6. Bake and Eat: I put the stuffed shells on a pizza pan, the extra mounded on side. I baked at 350 until it was a bit brown but not overly so. All the ingredients are already cooked so there is no need for a long baking time. I say about 20 minutes should do it. If you do add the sausage, add some time for the sausage to cook a bit, about 8-10 minutes. DO NOT overcook. EAT AND ENJOY!
• 7. Presentation: This serves ONE person well for a meal. I would add a veggie or a salad. For the appetizer, one side of the clam should be sufficient for each person. Clip a fresh dill to go along side and always have extra lemon on hand.

CLAM STUFFING

Steps:

• 1. Drain clams and reserve liqueur. Remove clam stomachs and finely mince. Set aside. Cut ingredients in half for smaller fish, and double it if stuffing a turkey.
• 2. Melt butter in sauce pan over medium heat. Add onion, thyme, basil, salt, pepper, and pinch of paprika. Sauté mixture for about 3 minutes until onion becomes golden brown.
• 3. Break egg into large mixing bowl and beat well. Add bread crumbs and sautée mixture. Blend well.
• 4. Add minced clams and blend thoroughly. If stuffing is too dry add clam liqueur by the teaspoons until desired level of moistness is reached. Makes enough to stuff a 4 lb fish.
• 5. Cut ingredients in half for smaller fish, and double it if stuffing a turkey.

BAKED STUFFED CLAMS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Cook onion until softened but not browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute, stirring, just until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add wine, and bring to a simmer. Add clams, and stir to combine. Cover and steam until clams have opened, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer clams to a rimmed baking sheet to cool, discarding any that do not open. Strain clam broth through a fine sieve, and reserve broth for making stuffing.
• When clams are cool enough to handle, remove all meat, and reserve. Remove half of each clam shell, and discard. Arrange the remaining halves on a rimmed baking sheet. Cut each clam into ½-inch pieces; return pieces to shell. (Clams can be prepared to this point up to 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Dividing evenly, press Herbed Breadcrumb Stuffing into clam shells, smoothing with the back of a spoon. Bake until tops are golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Nestle clams on seaweed, if desired, and serve immediately.

DAD'S FAMOUS STUFFIES

Steps:

• Add 2 in. water to a stockpot. Add clams and chourico; bring to a boil. Cover and steam 15-20 minutes or until clams open., Remove clams and sausage from pot, reserving 2 cups cooking liquid; cool slightly. Discard any unopened clams., Preheat oven to 350°. Remove clam meat from shells. Separate shells; reserve 30 half-shells for stuffing. Place clam meat in a food processor; process until finely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl., Remove casings from sausage; cut sausage into 1-1/2-in. pieces. Place in a food processor; process until finely chopped. Add sausage, onion and seafood seasoning to chopped clams. Stir in stuffing cubes. Add reserved cooking liquid and enough water to reach desired moistness, about 1 cup., Spoon clam mixture into reserved shells. Place in 15x10x1-in. baking pans. Bake until heated through, 15-20 minutes. Preheat broiler., Broil clams 4-6 in. from heat 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. If desired, serve with lemon wedges and pepper sauce. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked stuffed clams in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan until firm. Transfer to freezer containers; return to freezer. To use, place 3 stuffed clams on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a paper towel; microwave on high until heated through, 3-4 minutes. Serve as directed.

BAKED STUFFED CLAMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
• In a large frying pan, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until translucent. Stir in clams, crab meat, parsley, lemon pepper, and bread crumbs. Reduce heat to low, and slowly pour in clam juice until mixture is slightly sticky, but not wet. The bread crumbs will continue to absorb moisture, so be careful not to add too much clam juice.
• Fill each clean clam shell with mixture, pressing tightly into shell. Arrange on a baking sheet, and sprinkle lightly with paprika. (Stuffed shells may be covered and frozen at this point for later use.)
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and sizzling. If frozen, bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes, or until warmed through. Serve warm on a platter with lemon wedges.