Baked Clams On The Half Shell Vongole Gratinate Al Forno Recipes

BAKED SHELLS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Salt the water, add the shells and cook for 2 to 3 minutes less than the package directions. Heads up: Remove and reserve 1 cup of cooking water just before draining.
• Meanwhile, heat a medium-sized pot or high-sided skillet over medium heat with the extra-virgin olive oil. Add the onions and garlic and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the spinach, pulling it apart as you add it, and season with a little freshly grated nutmeg and salt, and pepper, to taste. When the spinach mixture is warmed through, transfer it to a small dish and reserve. Return the pot to the heat, add the butter and let it melt. Stir in the tomatoes and break them up with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, add the basil leaves, and cook to thicken the sauce, about 7 to 8 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Drain the pasta and return it to the hot pot. To the pasta, add the spinach, reserved pasta cooking water, ricotta cheese, and half of the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Adjust the salt and pepper, to taste, and transfer it to a baking dish. Top the pasta mixture with the tomato sauce, mozzarella, and remaining Parmigiano. Bake until the cheeses are melted and bubbly, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the shells from the oven and serve.

CLAMS ON THE HALF SHELL WITH FRESH MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Serve one teaspoon mayonnaise on top of chilled clams on the half shell.
• For variations, add 1 tablespoon of any of the following ingredients: roasted garlic, basil chiffonade, chopped chipotle peppers, finely diced roasted red peppers, or prepared horseradish to one cup of mayonnaise.
• In a bowl, combine lemon juice and champagne vinegar.
• In a separate glass bowl, whisk together egg yolk and dry ingredients.
• Add half of the lemon juice mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix well before adding any oil. Begin adding oil, a little at a time, until it is incorporated into the emulsion. The color should lighten once 1/4 of the oil is emulsified. Then add the oil in a slow constant stream, whisking continuously. After 3/4 of the oil is incorporated, add the rest of the lemon juice mixture.
• Continue to whisk until all of the oil is incorporated. Leave at room temperature for 1 hour. Refrigerate, covered, for up to 1 week.
• *RAW EGG WARNING
• Food Network Kitchens suggest caution in consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs due to the slight risk of Salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we recommend you use only fresh, properly-refrigerated, clean, grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell.