Clams Al Forno Food

AL FORNO CLAM STEW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the sausages and boil for 8 minutes to remove excess fat. Drain, let cool for 10 minutes then cut on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
• Lay the clams in a single layer in a flameproof roasting pan. Top with the sausage and the rest of the ingredients, except the scallions and lemon, and bring to a boil on top of the stove. Then put the pan in the oven. Roast the clams for 8 minutes. Mix the ingredients and roast for 5 to 10 minutes longer, or until all the clams have opened.
• Place 12 clams in each of 4 large, heated bowls and pour the broth over them, evenly distributing the sausages, onions, endive and tomatoes. Garnish with julienned scallions and lemon wedges.

PASTA AL FORNO

Steps:

• For the sauce: Cover the bottom of a medium saucepan with oil and garlic and cook over medium heat until garlic browns. Add sauce, basil, salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat for 15 minutes.
• For the pappardelle pasta: Make a bed of all-purpose flour, then make a well and add eggs. Fold all together, adding in more flour if needed, and knead until a dough ball is formed, then set aside and cover for 30 minutes.
• Run dough through a pasta sheeter to form pappardelle pasta (broad flat noodles).
• For the meatballs: Combine the beef, pork, veal, panko, Parmesan, salt, pepper and eggs in a bowl. Mixture should be on the drier side. If need be, add more panko. Form quarter-size meatballs. Heat a medium frying pan with oil and fry each meatball to a golden brown color.
• For the pasta al forno: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add sauce to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, along with the ricotta. Stir together, then add mozzarella and the meatballs. Let the cheese melt down.
• Meanwhile, drop the pasta into boiling salted water for about 7 minutes. Strain and add to the baking dish. Mix around, then bake in oven for 10 minutes.

BAKED CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL: VONGOLE GRATINATE AL FORNO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Scrub the clams under cold running water.
• Pry them open and rinse out any sand or grit.
• Gently separate the top and bottom shells, loosening and allowing the clam to divide, with some remaining on the top shell and some remaining on the bottom shell.
• Use a knife to loosen the clam in the shell, removing any sand or grit that may have been under the clam. All of the clams may not divide evenly between the top and bottom shell. Cut these clams into small pieces and distribute among the other shells. You should have at least 16 clamshell halves to fill and bake. Arrange the clam-filled shells on a baking sheet and set aside.
• In a small bowl, toss together the bread crumbs, parsley, and garlic. Use a fork to stir the olive oil into this mixture. It should be moist but not oily. Set aside.
• Fill each clam with a portion of the topping mixture, spreading it evenly over the clam to the edge of the shell. The filling should be about 1/8-inch thick.
• Bake until the topping begins to brown slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and adjust oven temperature to broil. Place the clams under the broiler and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

CLAMS AL FORNO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500°F.
• Place the clams in a single layer in a baking dish.
• Scatter all the remaining ingredients except the scallions and lemon wedges over the clams.
• Roast the clams for 9 minutes; turn them and roast for about 9 to 10 minutes longer, until they pop open.
• Discard any that don't open.
• To serve, place 6 clams in each bowl and divide the broth among them. Serve piping hot, garnished with scallions and lemon wedges.