Susans Famous Baked Clams Recipes

BAKED CLAMS

Steps:

• Wash the clams very well. Put them, the clam juice, water and vermouth in a big pot with a cover. Cook them over very high heat, bringing them to a boil, until they are just cooked, removing them one by one, or by the few, to a roasting pan or other flat tray, with tongs or a hand-held sieve, the instant they pop open.
• Once they've cooled, remove the clams from the shells. Divide top and bottom shells. Wash as many as you plan to serve, and leave them to dry. Add any liquid left with the clams to the liquid in the clam pot.
• Sauté the cup of garlic, leeks, celery and fennel in 3 tablespoons of butter, adding only the tiniest, barest bit of salt to help the vegetables release their liquid. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until leeks are tender and taste good. Through a fine strainer, add all the liquid in the clam pot. Bring to a boil, and cook down until only about 1 cup of liquid remains. Add the heavy cream. Taste for salt. Add the chopped leaves and chervil and the clams, either whole or roughly chopped.
• Divide the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 24 small squares. If it seems difficult, use more butter. No precision needed. Fill each half clamshell very full with the clam mixture - with either 1 clam per shell, if left whole, or a spoonful, if chopped. Top each half with a sprinkle of bread crumbs and a tiny square of butter.
• Put in a single layer, in 1 or 2 large roasting or baking pans, under the broiler at its highest setting, quite close to the broiler. Serve hot.

FRESH BAKED CLAMS

Steps:

• Put clams in a large kettle or clam pot with the water; cook over moderate heat, just until the shells open.
• Remove from the heat and when cool enough to handle, pluck the whole clams from the shells; save half the shells.
• Meanwhile, blend together the butter, garlic, parsley and bread crumbs.
• Set each clam back into a half shell and spread about a teaspoon of the mixture atop each clam in a shell.
• Arrange filled shells in a baking dish and broil 4" from the heat source until lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes.
• Serve with lemon wedges.

LISA'S BEST BAKED CLAMS

Steps:

• Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Add clams, and boil until all of the clams are open, about 5 minutes. Drain, and remove the empty half of the shell from each one. Place the full halves onto a baking sheet.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the crackers, garlic powder, and parsley into a large resealable bag. Crush until fine, and mash to mix. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the cracker crumb mixture, and cook until golden brown, stirring constantly. Spoon onto the clams in the shells.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until browned and topping is crispy. Serve with lemon and hot pepper sauce.

BAKED CLAMS IN SPICY BUTTER SAUCE (LES PALOURDES AUX AROMATES)

Steps:

• Arrange the open clams, meat side up, on a baking sheet.
• Preheat the oven to 450.
• In a saucepan, combine the chopped shallots and wine.
• Cook briefly, stirring.
• Add the butter and heat, stirring, until it melts.
• Add the salt, pepper, tabasco, worcestershire sauce, and mustard.
• Bring just to the boil, stirring.
• Cook and continue stirring for about 5 minutes.
• Add the basil& let the sauce cool to lukewarm.
• Spoon the sauce over the clams and bake for 10 minutes.
• Then run the clams under the broiler for about 15 seconds (no longer!) Sprinkle with parsley and serve.