Feast of the Seven Fishes: Baked Clams Italian Style

 This is the first recipe in the Feast of the Seven Fishes Christmas Eve Dinner.

Baked clams are one of our family’s favorite appetizers and a staple at our Christmas Eve dinner. Be sure to make a lot of them because they go quick. It is easy to eat a dozen by yourself. I also like this recipe because it is made from pantry items. I always have canned clams and breadcrumbs on hand for a impromptu quick treat. The kids love to help make them too! Watch the video with Tony to see how to make them!

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Bakes Clams Italian Style

Baked Clams - make with butter, garlic and a dash of hot sauce is the best! Not only are they easy to make, but are a great pantry staple. Keep canned clams and bread crumbs on hand and whip these up for a crowd in a jiffy.

Course Appetizer

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Servings 4 people (6 clams each)

Author Homemade Italian Cooking with Cara

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter
• 3 cloves garlic chopped
• 2 heads shallots minced
• 1 bay leaf
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 12 squirts tabasco hot sauce or season to taste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• zest and juice of one lemon
• 1/4 cup minced flat leaf parsley
• 24 clam shells cleaned (or scallop shells for baking)
• 4 cans 6.5 oz chopped clams, with juice
• 1 ½ cup breadcrumbs

Instructions

1. In a large glass measuring cup, melt butter with garlic and shallots for 1 minute in microwave. This will soften the garlic and shallots. Add bay leaf, olive oil, tabasco & Worcestershire sauces, pepper, lemon zest and juice and parsley. Stir to combine.
2. Lay the shells on a baking pan lined with a silicone mat or foil.
3. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of clams to each shell with some juice. Next add to the clams a tablespoon of the butter mixture and be sure to include a bit of garlic and shallots to each shell. Last cover the clams/butter in each shell with a scant tablespoon of breadcrumbs.
4. Bake 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
5. Serve immediately.
6. TIP: to clean shells after eating, let them soak in warm water and Dawn for 30 minutes. They will clean right up. Dry and reuse for next time.