Cooking with seafood really marks the summer months for me. Seafood dishes tend to be lighter, bursting with freshness and are usually ready pretty quickly. This dish was supposed to be made into a seafood medley served with buttered spaghetti, but, after a day spent at the beach – nibbling at freshly purchased red berries and soaking up the sun – a very light meal was calling my name. The clams were deliciously soothing served with a couple slices of crusty garlic bread to soak up the sauce.
There really is something about the sauce that emanates from cooked clams. When you cook clams this way, they release their wonderfully fragrant flavors into the wine and create the most flavorful stock. If you don’t want to use up all cooking liquid, try using some of it in risotto or with any seafood pasta dish. You really can’t recreate the depth of flavor that the clams create. They’re nothing like it!
White Wine Clams
Serves 4
2 pounds of Manila clams, scrubbed well
1 cup of good quality dry white wine
5 sprigs of thyme
2 cloves of garlic, finely minced
2 teaspoons of lemon juice
1 handful of coarsely chopped cilantro
Remove the leaves from the thyme stems and coarsely chop. Add the thyme stems, leaves, white wine, garlic and clams to saucepan on medium heat. Cover. Bring the stock to a boil and reduce to a high simmer for about 3-4 minutes.Shack the pan being careful to secure the lid down to make sure the clams open. Place all the opened clams in your serving bowl and discard any closed ones. Discard the thyme stems and simmer the stock for another 5 minutes. Add the lemon juice to the sauce and pour the sauce over the clams. Add the cilantro and serve immediately with some crusty bread. Enjoy!
Enjoy the read!
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets
July 30, 2010 at 12:27 am (14 years ago)Lovely photo (especially the light on the glass). I’m still learning to love the bivalves, but your post has even me yearning for a taste.
Rebecca
July 30, 2010 at 8:36 am (14 years ago)My favorite little gourmet restaurant in town serves a dish like this over angel hair pasta. I order it nearly every time!!! You gave me inspiration to just try to make it on my own! Thanks!
Asha @ FSK
July 30, 2010 at 12:45 pm (14 years ago)love the photo!!! 🙂
Garcon de Croissant
July 30, 2010 at 5:57 pm (14 years ago)I can’t wait to try this recipe. With dishes like this, the best thing is dipping bread into the sauce at the end!
Grace
July 31, 2010 at 7:07 am (14 years ago)The clams look so amazing. I miss cooking with shellfish. My daughter developed an allergy to shellfish and just the cooking shellfish in the house sets her off. The rare times when we can indulge is such a treat. Going to tuck this recipe aside just for one of those times.
marla {family fresh cooking}
July 31, 2010 at 10:11 am (14 years ago)Growing up on the east coast clams were a frequent indulgence. I have not had them in some time. You are right, simple preparation with wine and buttered pasta is complete bliss. Thanks for bringing back happy memories.
Tracy
August 3, 2010 at 4:33 pm (14 years ago)Your photos are simply gorgeous. I love the simplicity of the recipes as well. Very nice, indeed.
Miss Meat and Potatoes
August 4, 2010 at 7:41 pm (14 years ago)Your photo makes me feel (know) I am missing out, not being a mussels gal. Beautiful post as usual!
Kate Morgan Jackson
August 5, 2010 at 8:25 am (14 years ago)Oh man. My absolute favorite. Can I come for dinner?? (and have I mentioned lately that I LOVE your pictures???)
Chocolate Shavings
August 5, 2010 at 11:40 am (14 years ago)Kate Morgan Jackson: Thanks, I’m glad you’re enjoying them. If you’re ever in the Montreal region, let me know!
Kay Heritage
August 10, 2010 at 3:52 pm (14 years ago)I absolutely love clams, but never cooked them at home! You have encouraged me to do so! THANK YOU!
Patrice @ Circle-B-Kitchen
August 13, 2010 at 11:46 am (14 years ago)This is one of my favorite dishes… with or without the pasta. I love your ideas for the leftover broth too. But I’ve never had any leftover broth 🙂
christelle is flabbergasting
August 15, 2010 at 2:41 pm (14 years ago)Looks simple & delicious! Perfect for summer, indeed! Great pic!