Clams With Oregano And Bread Crumbs (Vongole Origanate)

Serves: 6

Carolyne Schoen

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

62

Spice

44

Sweetness

46

Sourness

39

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.9

Difficulty

Ingredients:

Directions:

1

Carefully open the clams, discarding the top shells, and drain the clam liquid into a small mixing bowl

2

Set aside

3

Loosen the clams from the bottom shells but do not remove them

4

Pour the salt onto a baking sheet so that it is at least 1/2-inch deep and arrange the clams in their half-shells in the salt

5

In a 10- to 12-inch sauté pan, heat the oil over medium heat until smoking

6

Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper and cook 6 to 7 minutes, until softened and light golden brown

7

Add the bread crumbs and continue cooking another 3 minutes, until they are light golden brown as well

8

Remove the mixture from the heat, season with salt and pepper, and cool

9

Stir in the oregano and the reserved clam liquid

10

Preheat the broiler

11

Pack about 2 teaspoons of the crumb mixture loosely into each clam shell

12

(Remember that the clam, not the stuffing, is the most important part of this dish; stuffing should surround and enhance the clam, not overpower it

13

) Place the clams under the broiler and heat through, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, just until the crumb mixture is deep golden brown; you're not really cooking the clam

14

Drizzle with a drop of olive oil, and serve

15

Carefully open the clams, discarding the top shells, and drain the clam liquid into a small mixing bowl

16

Set aside

17

Loosen the clams from the bottom shells but do not remove them

18

Pour the salt onto a baking sheet so that it is at least 1/2-inch deep and arrange the clams in their half-shells in the salt

19

In a 10- to 12-inch sauté pan, heat the oil over medium heat until smoking

20

Add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper and cook 6 to 7 minutes, until softened and light golden brown

21

Add the bread crumbs and continue cooking another 3 minutes, until they are light golden brown as well

22

Remove the mixture from the heat, season with salt and pepper, and cool

23

Stir in the oregano and the reserved clam liquid

24

Preheat the broiler

25

Pack about 2 teaspoons of the crumb mixture loosely into each clam shell

26

(Remember that the clam, not the stuffing, is the most important part of this dish; stuffing should surround and enhance the clam, not overpower it

27

) Place the clams under the broiler and heat through, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, just until the crumb mixture is deep golden brown; you're not really cooking the clam

28

Drizzle with a drop of olive oil, and serve