Toasted Clam Thingies Appetizers Food

TOASTED CLAM THINGIES APPETIZERS

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients except bread and butter.
• Cut crusts off bread and roll each slice with a rolling pin until very thin.
• Spread about 1 tablespoon of mixture on each slice of bread and roll it up like a jellyroll.
• Brush with butter, arrange about 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 425°F for approximately 12 minutes, until lightly browned.

TOASTED SPAGHETTI WITH CLAMS

Steps:

• In a large deep skillet, heat the olive oil until shimmering.
• Add the spaghetti and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until golden, about 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic and a large pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the clam broth and water and bring to a boil.
• Cover tightly and cook over moderate heat until the pasta is barely al dente, about 8 minutes.
• Nestle the clams into the pasta, cover and cook until the pasta is al dente and the clams open, about 7 minutes.
• Add a few tablespoons of water if the pasta is too dry.
• Stir in the parsley and serve.
• Serve with Pecorino-Romano, for serving (optional).

CRUMB-TOPPED CLAMS

Steps:

• Spread salt into an ovenproof metal serving platter or a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Shuck clams, leaving clams and juices in bottom shells. Arrange in prepared platter; divide juices among shells., In a small bowl, mix dry bread crumbs, chicken broth, parsley, oil, garlic, oregano and pepper; spoon over clams. Sprinkle with panko bread crumbs., Broil 4-6 in. from heat 6-8 minutes or until clams are firm and crumb mixture is crisp and golden brown. Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

GRILLED CLAM TOASTS WITH LEMON AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Cut lemon in half crosswise and thinly slice 1 half; remove seeds. Set remaining lemon half aside for serving. Grill lemon slices, turning occasionally, until lightly charred, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and coarsely chop. Place in a medium bowl.
• Using long tongs, place clams directly on grill. Carefully transfer to a large bowl as they open. (Try to save as much clam liquor as possible, but some will inevitably spill onto coals.) Let cool.
• Remove clams from their shells and coarsely chop. Transfer clams and any liquor to bowl with lemon and add garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, and 1/4 cup oil; season with salt and black pepper.
• Drizzle bread with oil and grill, turning halfway through, until toasted and lightly charred, about 5 minutes.
• Top toasts with clam mixture, some Green Olive Tapenade, then Parmesan, dividing evenly; cut into pieces. Cut reserved lemon into wedges and serve alongside toast for squeezing over.

BAKED STUFFED CLAMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
• In a large frying pan, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until translucent. Stir in clams, crab meat, parsley, lemon pepper, and bread crumbs. Reduce heat to low, and slowly pour in clam juice until mixture is slightly sticky, but not wet. The bread crumbs will continue to absorb moisture, so be careful not to add too much clam juice.
• Fill each clean clam shell with mixture, pressing tightly into shell. Arrange on a baking sheet, and sprinkle lightly with paprika. (Stuffed shells may be covered and frozen at this point for later use.)
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and sizzling. If frozen, bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes, or until warmed through. Serve warm on a platter with lemon wedges.

CLAM TOASTS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium. Add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until brown and crisp, 5-7 minutes. Add sliced garlic and cook, stirring often, until garlic is golden around the edges, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and add sweet onion and chopped fennel. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and onion is translucent, 6-8 minutes. Add lemon zest, bay leaf, ground fennel,1/2 cup wine and a pinch of salt. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until wine is mostly reduced but mixture is still a little bit saucy, about 3 minutes. Transfer soffritto to a medium bowl; discard lemon zest and bay leaf. Wipe out skillet.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in same skillet over medium. Arrange bread slices in skillet and cook until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Cut 1 garlic clove in half and rub one side of each toast with cut side of garlic. Wipe out skillet.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in same skillet over medium. Crush remaining garlic clove with the side of a chef's knife and cook, stirring often, until it begins to turn golden, about 1 minute. Add clams, soffritto, and remaining 1/2 cup wine. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, until liquid is reduced by half and clams are open (discard any that do not open), 5-7 minutes. Add parsley and fennel fronds and cook 1 minute longer. Taste and season with salt if needed.
• To serve, place fried bread on plates and spoon clam mixture and cooking broth over. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
• Do Ahead
• Soffritto can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

CLAM FRITTER SNACKS

Steps:

• Drain the clams. In a medium bowl, beat 1 egg and stir in the cup of baking mix and clams.
• In a medium skillet, heat the oil and fry the clams in pieces until golden brown. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels.