Venetian Curried Clams Food

CLAMS WITH QUINOA

Steps:

• Wash and vigorously scrub the littlenecks under cold running water. Place them on a tray, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside until ready to serve. Finely chop the shucked cherrystones and set them aside, refrigerate. Pour the clam liquor through a strainer lined with a double thickness of dampened cheesecloth. Add enough additional clam juice or water to make the liquid up to 5 1/2 cups. Set aside, refrigerate. Place the quinoa in a bowl and add enough cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Let soak for 5 minutes, then massage the grain between the palms of your hands for a moment. Strain through a fine strainer, rinse with cold running water, and repeat the soaking and rubbing process. Set the quinoa aside to drain.
• In a large casserole with a cover, preferably earthenware, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion and saute until it is totally translucent but not browned, about 8 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and add the garlic, chiles, bay leaf, cumin, and pepper. Stir over the heat for 2 minutes more, or until the aroma of the garlic is released. Add the tomato paste, chopped clams, and potatoes and stir together to mix. Pour in 4 1/2 cups of the reserved clam juice, bring up to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the quinoa and cook for 25 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
• While the quinoa is cooking, in another large saucepan reduce the white wine by half over medium heat. Add the garlic, salt, pepper flakes, julienned red pepper, and the remaining 1/2 cup clam juice and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the littlenecks, cover the pan and reduce the heat to low, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the clams have barely opened, gently stirring the mixture once during the cooking time. Mound the quinoa mixture onto a large platter and spoon the littlenecks, with all of their juice and the peppers, over the top. Scatter the cilantro over and serve immediately.

VENETIAN CURRIED CLAMS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Heat a large oven proof skillet over high heat. Add the clams, onions, curry powder and butter. Toss until onions start to brown. Top the clams with all the remaining ingredients except the heavy cream and scallions. Bring to a boil, transfer to the oven and roast for 9 minutes, turn the clams and roast for about 9 to 10 minutes longer, until they pop open. Transfer the clams and most of the solids to 2 serving bowls. On the stovetop, over a medium high flame, add the cream to the liquid left in the skillet. Stir constantly until the cream is completely incorporated. Divide the liquid between the 2 bowls, top with scallions and serve immediately with a generous spoonful of rice per bowl.
• Note: Instead of rice, you may serve the clams with mashed potatoes or creamy polenta. If you would like to serve the clams as an appetizer, divide among 4 bowls and omit the rice.

VENETIAN STYLE POLENTA CAKES WITH CAVOLINI DI BRUXELLES RECIPE

Steps:

• In a 6-quart stock pot combine the water and heavy cream and bring to a boil. Slowly add the polenta in a thin stream while stirring to prevent lumps from forming. Reduce the heat to a low flame and slowly incorporate the semolina flour. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes while stirring constantly. Remove from heat and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Allow to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil 6 (3-inch) individual cake pans.
• Take the cooled polenta and pack into the prepared cake pans. Place the polenta cakes on a half sheet pan and bake in preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 15 minutes before unmolding.
• In a large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and lightly cook the onions and pancetta, if using, until golden brown. Add the Brussels sprouts and thyme sprigs. Place in preheated oven and roast until soft, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Remove the thyme.
• In a separate pan, combine the baby carrots with equal parts oil and water to cover. Slowly bring to a simmer and cook until tender. Remove the carrots from the oil and combine with the Brussels sprouts.
• To finish, reheat the polenta cakes in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes. As the polenta is cooking, slowly reheat the Brussels sprouts and carrots. Just before serving, place the polenta cakes in a bowl. Finish the Brussels sprouts and carrots with the red wine vinegar and salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange the vegetables around the polenta cakes in the bowl.

DIVINE VENUS CLAMS

Steps:

• Wash the Venus Clams a few times; or let them rest for a while in water (or in wine) to get the sand out.
• slice the garlic gloves and pepper
• Heat up the oil in a pan with a lid; Put the garlic, pepper, clams and glass of wine in. Shake the clams frequently until the clams are open.
• Throw in the coriander and shake the clams one more time.
• Serve with (french/turkish) bread (for the moistdipping)