Clams With Ham Bell Peppers Basil Food

CLAMS WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Check the clams by prodding any open clams gently with a knife. If they don't close, discard them. Trim, mash and finely chop the garlic clove. Peel and julienne a generous pinch of fresh ginger root.
• Heat a shallow pan (with a tight fitting lid) over medium high heat. Add the oil, garlic and ginger and cook until sizzling but not browned. Add the clams in a single layer, chicken stock and black beans, and cover and cook until the clams just open, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While the clams are steaming, slice the herbs for the garnish. Check the clams and stir gently to ensure even cooking.
• Remove the clams to a serving bowl with a slotted spoon. Add the oyster sauce, sugar and black pepper to the cooking liquid and taste. Reduce if you desire a fuller flavored sauce. While boiling, whisk in the cornstarch mixture a little at a time until thickened to the desired consistency. Spoon the sauce over the cooked clams and serve with the basil, mint or scallion greens. Serve immediately.

HALIBUT AND CLAMS WITH BELL PEPPERS AND SAFFRON

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic and thyme; sauté 2 minutes. Stir in wine and saffron. Add clams. Cover and simmer over medium heat until clams open, about 8 minutes (discard any clams that do not open). Remove from heat.
• Using tongs, transfer clams to bowl. Remove meat from shells; reserve meat. Strain cooking liquid and any accumulated clam juices into medium saucepan; discard solids. Add bottled clam juice to cooking liquid. Bring liquid to boil. Add peppers. Set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Add to skillet; cook until golden on bottom, about 2 minutes. Using spatula, turn fish over. Pour pepper mixture over fish. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until fish is just cooked through, about 3 minutes.
• Using slotted metal spatula, transfer fish to shallow soup plates. Add clam meat to skillet; stir just until heated through. Spoon over fish. Sprinkle with cilantro and basil.

ROASTED CLAMS WITH PANCETTA AND RED BELL PEPPER COULIS

Steps:

• Char bell pepper over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag; let stand 10 minutes. Peel, seed and coarsely chop bell pepper. Transfer to processor. Add oil, oregano and garlic; puree until smooth. Season coulis with salt and pepper.
• Preheat oven to 500°F. Line large baking sheet with foil. Arrange clams on sheet. Bake until clams open, about 6 minutes (discard any that do not open). Cool slightly. Remove top shells; discard, leaving clams in half shells on sheet.
• Preheat broiler. Top each clam with 1 teaspoon coulis, then 1 pancetta piece. Broil clams until coulis bubbles and pancetta browns, about 3 minutes. Transfer to platter. Garnish with lemon; serve.

CLAM PASTA WITH BASIL AND HOT PEPPER

Steps:

• Make the purée: Grind basil and parsley together in a food processor. (Alternatively, hand chop herbs or pound them in a mortar.) Add garlic paste and 1/4 cup olive oil and pulse to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rapid boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions, taking care to keep pasta quite al dente. It's best to use a timer, and drain pasta as soon as it's done.
• While pasta is cooking, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy-bottomed wide pot with a lid over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic, fennel seed if using and pepperoncino, and let sizzle without browning, about 1 minute. Add clams, stirring to coat with a wooden spoon. Raise heat to high, add wine and put on the lid. Cook, covered, until all clams have opened, 5 to 7 minutes. Turn off heat. (Discard any clams that fail to open.)
• Add cooked pasta and basil purée to pot and toss gently to combine. Transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with basil leaves and lemon wedges.