Stuffed Clams

So the other day I was made aware my local clam beds were open, and the next day I had the day off.  Finally the planets and stars aliened.  I woke at 5 am to birds chirping and my dog crying to go out.  While taking Penny, my Golden Retriever for a walk I didn't feel any wind and it was relatively mild.  I went back inside, brushed my teeth, got dressed, and headed out.  I arrived at the beach at 650am.  With a super low 730am moon tide I jumped out of the truck determined to make this happen.  Boy what a beautiful morning it was.  I noticed a few Buffleheads darting around and a lone Black duck paddling away from me.  Since the tide dropped a little lower than normal I was granted access to some of the grounds further out.  I was surprised to see just hour much of the sand got moved around from Sandy back in November, but none the less I found some clams.  It took me about 30 minutes to get close to a limit which was made up mostly of bigger cherry stone and quahog clams.  I did manage a few little necks and I even shucked a few oysters I found.  I walked back to the truck thinking about what to do with my haul.  The little necks would be made into a red clam sauce and the others were going to get the stuffed clam treatment.  The oysters I gave to a friend who likes them a lot.

         Stuffed clams for those of you that have never attempted it are like a twice baked potato.

1.  Step One is to scrub the clams with a fruit brush to get the mud, sea weed, and slipper shells off.
2.  Step Two is to place them in the pot you intend to steam them in.  I add only enough water to cover the bottom of the pot. I also drizzle some olive oil on the clams and throw in parsley.  turn the stove on and steam away.  As the clams open, the juices will mix with the oil and parsley and continue to steam the other clams. Yum!

3.  Step 3 is to take the clams out and pull the meat out of the shells.  Then place the meat in a food processor or grinder and dice it up.  Place the product in a bowl and set aside.  It will look like your dog threw  up in the bowl.
4.  Step 4 is to chop up some garlic and onion.  Put the onion and garlic in a bowl and simmer with a little olive oil.
5.   Step 5 once the Garlic and onions get soft The clam meet.  Once you have everything together in the pot add some of the clam stock from the steaming pot.  You will see it turn into a liquid mess.
6.  Step 6 is to add your bread crumbs.  add a little at a time until it has the consistency of a paste.

7.  Heat oven to 350.
8.  Step 8 with a spoon or ice cream scoop fill the clam shell halves with the paste and place on a baking tray.  I give each on a few drops of lemon juice and a small slice of bacon on top
9.  Step 9 is to put in the oven for 20 minutes.  If after 20 min they are not crispy on top you can give them the broiler for a few minutes.
  you will like this.