Grilled Clams With Basil Breadcrumbs Recipes

GRILLED CLAMS WITH GARLIC BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or Great Grates over medium heat.
• Scrub and rinse the clams. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a 1-quart saucepan over low heat until it is foamy. Add the garlic and saute, stirring, until it is fragrant but does not color, about 30 seconds. Add the white wine and heavy cream, increase the heat to medium-high and reduce by half, about 8 minutes. Add the remaining butter 1 piece at a time, whisking constantly, until the sauce is shiny, emulsified, and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the chives and season with salt and pepper. Keep the sauce warm until ready to serve.
• Set up the littleneck clams on the grill or Great Grates or place them directly on the grill. Cook the clams without turning them. As soon as the clams pop open, after 8 to 10 minutes, transfer them carefully with tongs to a platter (or plates) of rock salt. If you are using a Great Grate, this won't be necessary. Use the tongs to pry off the top shells. Spoon 1 teaspoon sauce over each clam and serve immediately.

GRILLED CLAMS WITH HERB BUTTER

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
• In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the butter, herbes de Provence, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat until melted and beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
• Meanwhile, place the clams directly on the hot grill. Close the lid and cook until the clams pop open, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the clams to a platter and serve with crusty bread and herb butter for dipping.

EASY GRILLED CLAMS

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for very high heat.
• Tap any open clams; if they stay open, throw them out. Place the closed clams on the grill grate. Grill, covered, until the clams open, about 2 minutes. Carefully transfer all the opened clams to a bowl; throw out any clams that remain closed. Be careful not to lose any of the liquid in the shells-that's where the flavor is.

GRILLED CLAMS WITH CHARRED ZUCCHINI AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
• In a medium skillet, over low heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. When the oil gets hot, add the pine nuts. Season them lightly with salt and cook them, stirring constantly, until they turn golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove them from the pan to a small bowl. Stir in the minced garlic, salt, to taste, and the mint.
• In a large plate, combine the remaining olive oil, the zucchini slices, paprika and light sprinkling of salt. For best results, "dust" the zucchini with the paprika but put it in a little strainer and sprinkle it evenly over the zucchini slices. Toss to coat them with the oil. Season them lightly with salt. Arrange them in a single layer on the hottest part of the grill and cook until they are tender to the touch and charred but not falling apart, 3 to 5 minutes. Use a pair of metal tongs to remove the zucchini from the grill and transfer them to a flat surface. Stack the slices and cut them widthwise into 1/2-inch slices, then make 1 slice down the middle, creating a 1/2-inch dice. Toss them in the bowl with the pine nuts, and then add the lemon juice.
• Dip a cloth into some oil and rub over the grill grates. Scatter the clams on the grill in a single layer. Have a pair of tongs and a large platter ready. Littleneck clams take a while to open up, about 10 minutes depending on size, but that's all a part of the fun - the suspense of waiting for them to open. Add a splash of water to help them along and steam. As they open, use the tongs to remove them from the grill and put them on the platter. When they are all opened, scatter the zucchini and pine nuts all around. Try to get the zucchini inside the shells directly on top of the clams and serve immediately.

GRILLED CLAMS WITH SCALLIONS AND CUCUMBER

Steps:

• Preheat the grill on high heat.
• Cook the garlic: In a medium pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. When it gets hot, add the garlic and ginger. Season lightly with salt and cook, stirring constantly, until they turn golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove them from the pan and immediately transfer to a medium bowl to cool. Stir in the pine nuts.
• In a larger bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil with the cucumbers and chili flakes. Toss to coat them with the oil. Season them lightly with salt. Sprinkle them with the sugar, vinegar and the sliced scallions and toss to blend. Combine with the garlic and pine nuts.
• Cook the clams and finish the dish: Scatter the clams on the grill in a single layer. Have a pair of tongs and a large platter ready. Clams will being to open after 3 minutes and should take about 10 minutes total. As they open, use the tongs to remove them from the grill and place them on the platter. When they are all opened, squeeze the juice from the lemons over them and scatter the cucumber and pine nuts all around. Try to get the mixture inside the clam shells as well. It's so delicious when you bite into the clam and get all the other flavors (and the char on the outside of the shells) all at once. Serve immediately.

GRILLED CLAMS AND MUSSELS WITH GARLIC, ALMONDS AND MINT

Steps:

• Build a very hot charcoal fire, mounding coals in the center of the grill, or heat a gas grill.
• Scrub mussels and clams under running water to remove any clinging grit.
• Put clams, wine, oil, sliced garlic and chile in a large disposable aluminum roasting pan and stir. Cover pan tightly with heavy-duty foil. Place pan on the grill and cover. Let cook undisturbed for 10 minutes, then use mitts to open foil and stir in mussels. Replace foil and continue cooking, with grill covered, 10 minutes more. By this time, most or all of the shellfish should be open. Use tongs to transfer opened shellfish to a serving bowl and return any unopened in the pan to continue cooking, covered, for another few minutes. Any that remain unopened should be discarded. Combine all shellfish and pan juices in the bowl.
• Toss shellfish with mint, almonds, chopped garlic and lemon zest. Drizzle with additional oil. Brush grilled bread slices with oil and serve alongside for soaking up juices.

GRILLED CLAMS WITH LEMON-CAYENNE BUTTER

Steps:

• Using a mortar and pestle, or on a cutting board using flat part of a knife, mash together garlic and salt until a paste forms. Scrape paste into a small bowl and stir in butter, lemon juice and cayenne. Taste and make sure salt and lemon are balanced.
• Preheat grill. Place clams directly on grill grate or on a large baking pan in a single layer. Cover grill and let clams cook for 2 minutes. Open grill and check clams, using tongs to remove any that have opened, and transfer them to a large bowl. Be careful not to spill clams' juices when transferring them. Close grill lid and check every 30 seconds, removing clams as they open.
• Pour lemon-cayenne butter over clam bowl and toss lightly. Serve hot, garnished with chives.