Clams In Olive Oil With Jamon And Pine Nuts Food

GRILLED CLAMS WITH BASIL BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• Heat a gas grill or prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals.
• Combine the bread crumbs, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, salt and pepper in a large serving bowl and set aside.
• When the grill is hot, place the clams in 1 layer on the hot grate and allow the heat to open the clams. They'll open gradually for about 5 minutes, then pop-open wide when they're done. Using tongs, remove the clams from the grill and place them in the bowl with the bread crumb mixture and toss together. Drizzle with the melted butter, and serve hot.

CLAMS IN OLIVE OIL WITH JAMON AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil and garlic in a wide earthenware cazuela, a very large heavy skillet, or a wide casserole over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and ham and cook, stirring, until the nuts just begin to color, about 2 minutes.
• Add the clams, cover the cazuela, and cook until the clams open, 4 to 7 minutes depending on their size, shaking the pan occasionally. Discard any clams that don't open.
• Serve the clams directly from the cazuela or spoon them into bowls, adding plenty of the cooking liquid to each bowl. Sprinkle the parsley on top and serve with plenty of bread as a first course.

LINGUINE WITH SMOKED BACON, LEEKS AND CLAMS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, scrub the clams under cold running water with a stiff-bristled brush, then refrigerate.
• Place a large saute pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the bacon and saute until the fat has rendered and the bacon starts to brown. Add the garlic and leeks and saute until the leeks have softened and released most of their liquid. Increase heat to high and add the wine, black pepper, cayenne and tomatoes; boil until the wine is reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
• Add the linguine to the boiling water and cook until just before it is al dente. Meanwhile, add the clams and, if desired, the lemon juice to the saute pan. Cover and cook until the clams open completely, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
• Drain the linguine and add to the pan with the clams; it will continue to cook when added to the mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and pine nuts.