Pan Roasted Clams With Sake Food

STEAMED CLAMS IN BUTTER AND SAKE

Steps:

• Scrub and rinse clams. Soak in a large bowl of cold water for 5 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
• Heat a wok or large saucepan over high heat. Quickly pour in the sake, mirin and rice vinegar. Add the clams; cover and cook until the clams open, 3 to 4 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open.
• Remove any scum that forms on the surface using a spoon or paper towel. Stir in the butter, soy sauce and green onion, tossing to coat the clams as the butter melts. Arrange clams on a serving plate and drizzle the sauce over them. Serve immediately.

SAKE-STEAMED CLAMS

Steps:

• 1. Fill a medium bowl with cold water and add 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the clams and let stand for 1 hour. Drain the clams and rinse them well. Discard any open or broken shells.
• 2. In a large, deep skillet, combine the sake with the water and bring to a boil. Add the Manila clams, cover the skillet tightly and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until most of the clams have opened, about 4 minutes.
• 3. Spoon the clams and broth into 4 medium bowls. Top with the butter, garnish with the scallions and togarashi and serve at once.

PAN-ROASTED CLAMS WITH SAKE

Steps:

• Scrub the clams thoroughly with a brush under cold running water. Drain them in a colander and pat them dry with a paper towel.
• Heat a large sauté pan over high heat. When the pan is very hot, add the oil and immediately add the clams. Give them a shake, and cook for one minute. Add the sake, and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for another minute, shaking the pan every 10 seconds. Check the clams: If most of them are open, cover again until all the clams are open, again shaking the pan a little. If only a few have opened, lower the heat and continue to cook, removing clams as they open.
• When all the clams have opened, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter (and any clams you removed). Add the scallions and swirl until all the butter is melted. Taste, and season with salt if necessary.