Quahog Chili Food

TIM O'TOOLE'S FAMOUS STUFFED QUAHOGS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring water to a boil over high heat. Add sausage links; reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove links from broth; reserve the broth. Remove casings from the sausage.
• Bring the broth back to a simmer and add the quahogs; cook until they open, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the quahogs; reserve the broth. Remove the cooked quahogs from the shells. Separate the shell halves. If necessary wash the shells.
• Place the sausage and quahog meat into the bowl of a food processor; process until chopped, about 12 seconds, depending on your processor. Scrape mixture into a bowl. Add chopped onion to the processor; chop about 5 seconds. Stir in to the meat mixture.
• Make the full container of stuffing according to package directions, using the margarine, and substituting the sausage/clam broth for water. There may be more broth than you need.
• Mix together the stuffing and sausage/clam/onion mixture. Spoon filling into empty clam shell halves and top each with a small pat of butter (about a third of a teaspoon).
• Place the shells on a baking pan; bake in the preheated oven until toasty brown on top, 15 to 20 minutes.

QUAHOG CHILI

Steps:

• Saute onion in oil for 3 minutes over medium heat.
• Add garlic and pepper and saute until onions are translucent and soft (about 10 minutes).
• Add tomatoes, seasonings, and simmer until thick (about an hour).
• Taste, and adjust salt, pepper, and chili powder if necessary.
• Add clams, beans and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

SHUCKERS' STUFFED QUAHOG

Steps:

• Wash the quahogs to remove any grit. Heat a large pot over high heat, then add in the quahogs with 2 cups water; cover the pot and steam the quahogs for 5 minutes. Check to see if all of the quahogs are open, and continue to steam until they are all open. Remove from the heat and strain the quahogs, reserving the cooking liquid. Cool the quahogs and shuck the clams from the shells. Reserve the shells for a later use.
• In a meat grinder or food processor, grind the shucked clams and reserve.
• Either split the shells or gently twist at the hinge to remove the cartilage. Rinse the shells and reserve.
• In a 2-quart saucepan set over medium-high heat, melt the butter, and then add the onions. Saute until translucent, then remove the pan from the heat.
• In a large mixing bowl add the cooked onions and butter, the ground clams, hot peppers and Sriracha. Add the reserved clam broth and mix well. Add the breadcrumbs until the stuffing is firm but wet.
• Stuff the quahog shells with the filling. At this point cook immediately or refrigerate and cook the stuffed quahogs when ready to serve.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cook the quahogs until golden brown on top and cooked through, 15 minutes. Serve with melted butter.

STUFFED QUAHOGS

Steps:

• Shuck quahogs and chop meat.
• Wash shells.
• Cook mushrooms and onions until tender in butter.
• Blend in flour and seasonings.
• Add chopped clams and cook about 10 minutes until flour is thickened, stirring constantly.
• Grease clam shells and fill with mixture.
• Blend butter and crumbs and sprinkle over filling.
• Bake in oven at 400 for 20 minutes.

RHODE ISLAND QUAHOG CHOWDA

Steps:

• Scrub quahaugs to clean well.
• Place into a large kettle with the 6 cups water, cover and cook over medium until shells open (approximately 5 minutes).
• Remove quahaugs from water and throw out quahaugs any that haven't opened up.
• Remove the meat from the opened shells and chop into fine pieces.
• Discard shells, but save all of the cooking liquid.
• In a large pot, render the salt pork until brown.
• Add the onions and saute a few minutes.
• Measure reserved cooking water and add additional water to make a full 8 cups liquid.
• Pour this liquid into the pot with the salt pork and onions.
• Add potatoes, salt and pepper.
• Simmer until the potatoes are very tender (aapproximately 5-10 minutes).
• Add the chopped quahaug meat and bring to a slow boil for 2-3 minutes.
• If you like, you may set a small pitcher of milk or cream on the table for guests to add a splash to individual portions, for those who prefer it that way.

QUAHOG CHOWDER

Steps:

• Mince the clams.
• Place bacon or salt pork in the bottom of a large kettle and fry for five minutes.
• Add onion and cook until golden.
• Cover potatoes in boiling water; parboil for five minutes.
• Drain and reserve water.
• Place a layer of potatoes and a layer of minced clams in the kettle with onion; sprinkle with flour and salt/pepper.
• Add remaining potatoes, dredge remaining flour and salt/pepper.
• Cover with 3 cups of boiling water (including the potato water) and simmer for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft.
• Add milk and bring up to boiling point.
• Blend butter or bacon fat with the tablespoon of flour; add clam juice and stir until thickened.
• Add slowly to chowder just before serving.
• Serve hot with crackers.