Spanish-Style Baked Stuffed Clams

These bacony, buttery and briny stuffed clams—called almejas in Spain—are Andrew Zimmern's preferred version of clams casino. Plus: Andrew Zimmern's Kitchen Adventures

Spanish-Style Baked Stuffed Clams
Photo: © Stephanie Meyer
Total Time:
1 hrs 15 mins
Yield:
2 dozen stuffed clams

Ingredients

Clams

  • 1 cup dry white wine

  • 1 celery rib, chopped

  • 1/2 small onion, chopped

  • 1 small carrot, chopped

  • 24 cherrystone clams, scrubbed

Stuffing

  • Two 1-inch-thick slices of white bread, crusts removed and bread cubed

  • 1/2 cup minced bacon

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 1/3 cup minced onion

  • 1/3 cup minced red bell pepper

  • 1/3 cup minced celery

  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic

  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped

  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Prepare the Clams

  1. In a large saucepan, combine the wine, celery, onion and carrot and bring to a boil. Add the clams, cover and steam over high heat until the clams open, 5 to 7 minutes; transfer the clams to a baking sheet to cool. Strain the liquid and reserve for another use.

  2. Working over a bowl to catch the juices, remove and discard the top shells of the clams. Arrange the clams on a baking sheet. Strain the clam juice through a cheesecloth-lined sieve and reserve 3 tablespoons.

Make the Stuffing

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Pulse the bread in a food processor until coarse bread crumbs form. Spread the bread crumbs on a baking sheet and toast until lightly golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer the bread crumbs to a medium bowl.

  2. Increase the oven temperature to 500°. In a large nonstick skillet, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off the bacon fat from the skillet and add the olive oil, onion, red pepper, celery, garlic and thyme; cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the paprika and bacon and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the reserved 3 tablespoons of clam juice and cook until absorbed, about 2 minutes. Add the vegetable mixture to the bread crumbs and mix well; stir in the lemon juice, butter and parsley.

  3. Top each clam with a heaping tablespoon of the stuffing, gently pressing to help it adhere. Bake the clams until they are golden and crisp on top, about 10 minutes.

Related Articles