Raw Clams On The Half Shell

Serves: 5

Clair Leannon

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

49

Spice

53

Sweetness

50

Sourness

38

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.2

Difficulty

Ingredients:

Directions:

1

Scrub the clams under cold water with a stiff brush to remove the dirt

2

Next, find a durable thick cloth and fold it over several times to create a square; this will steady the clams as you shuck them and also protect your hand

3

Using the towel as a mitt, hold the clam firmly in the palm of your towel-covered hand; have a small bowl handy to catch the delicious juice

4

Insert the tip of a clam or oyster knife between the shell halves, and work it around one side to the other as you pry it open

5

Using the knife, cut the muscles away from the top shell, bend the shell back, and discard it

6

Run the knife underneath the clam to detach it completely, but leave it in its shell (take care not to cut the meat itself

7

) Tip out the clam juice into the bowl and pour it back over the shucked clams

8

Nestle the clams in a bed of crushed ice or rock salt to keep them steady

9

Spoon the cucumber mignonette on top and serve as part of a raw shellfish bar

10

In a small bowl, combine the rice wine vinegar, shallots, ginger, cucumber, black pepper, and cilantro; mixing with a fork

11

Cover and chill for at least 1 hour or up to the day before you plan to serve, to allow the flavors to come together

12

Serve with raw oysters and clams