Grilled Clam Toasts With Lemon And Green Olives Recipes

GRILLED CLAM TOASTS WITH LEMON AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Cut lemon in half crosswise and thinly slice 1 half; remove seeds. Set remaining lemon half aside for serving. Grill lemon slices, turning occasionally, until lightly charred, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and coarsely chop. Place in a medium bowl.
• Using long tongs, place clams directly on grill. Carefully transfer to a large bowl as they open. (Try to save as much clam liquor as possible, but some will inevitably spill onto coals.) Let cool.
• Remove clams from their shells and coarsely chop. Transfer clams and any liquor to bowl with lemon and add garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, and 1/4 cup oil; season with salt and black pepper.
• Drizzle bread with oil and grill, turning halfway through, until toasted and lightly charred, about 5 minutes.
• Top toasts with clam mixture, some Green Olive Tapenade, then Parmesan, dividing evenly; cut into pieces. Cut reserved lemon into wedges and serve alongside toast for squeezing over.

GRILLED CLAMS WITH LEMON-CAYENNE BUTTER

Steps:

• Using a mortar and pestle, or on a cutting board using flat part of a knife, mash together garlic and salt until a paste forms. Scrape paste into a small bowl and stir in butter, lemon juice and cayenne. Taste and make sure salt and lemon are balanced.
• Preheat grill. Place clams directly on grill grate or on a large baking pan in a single layer. Cover grill and let clams cook for 2 minutes. Open grill and check clams, using tongs to remove any that have opened, and transfer them to a large bowl. Be careful not to spill clams' juices when transferring them. Close grill lid and check every 30 seconds, removing clams as they open.
• Pour lemon-cayenne butter over clam bowl and toss lightly. Serve hot, garnished with chives.

GRILLED CLAMS WITH FRIED GARLIC

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for direct grilling over high heat.
• Lightly brush the clams on both sides with olive oil. Arrange them on the grate, cover and cook until the shells pop open, 3 to 6 minutes. (You could grill the clams on aluminum foil to catch juices.)
• Pour the lemon juice into a baking dish large enough to hold the clams in one layer. Transfer the clams to the dish with tongs, trying not to spill the juices.
• Heat 3/4 cup olive oil in a small skillet on the grill. When hot, add the garlic and cook until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the pepper flakes, and stir for 15 seconds. Pour this over the clams.
• Transfer the clams to 4 deep bowls. Whisk the juices in the baking dish for 1 minute and pour over the clams.