Grilled Clams with Lemon-Ginger Butter

photo by Jamie Stanek

Not only are these clams easy to make, but they're probably unexpected at most cookouts (which automatically makes them more fun in my book). The lemon-ginger butter is so fragrant and flavorful; it makes a fantastic dipping sauce for the grilled baguette (which I did make, but forgot to take photos). If you're having this for dinner, you can always trade in the bread for pasta or rice and use the extra butter as your sauce.

So consider surprising your friends with grilled clams at your next cookout - but have a few hot dogs or hamburgers at the ready, because in my experience, people are either totally enamored with clams or completely repulsed by them (I like them, but I can see it).

GRILLED CLAMS WITH LEMON-GINGER BUTTER AND GRILLED BAGUETTE

Makes 2 servings

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened

4 teaspoons minced shallot

1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

6 (1/2-inch-thick) diagonal baguette slices

1/4 cup white wine

2 pounds Manila clams, scrubbed

Special Equipment: 13” x 9” x 2” disposable aluminum baking pan

1.      Preheat barbecue (high heat).

2.      Blend together butter, shallot, parsley, ginger and lemon zest in small bowl; season to taste with salt and pepper.

3.      Thinly spread lemon-ginger butter on 1 side of each bread slice.

4.      Place the remaining butter mixture and white wine in disposable aluminum pan. Arrange the clams in single layer in the pan. Place pan on grill, cover barbecue, and cook just until clams open, 8 to 10 minutes (discard any clams that do not open).

5.      Transfer grilled clams to 2 shallow bowls. Pour the pan juices over the clams.

6.      Grill bread until slightly charred, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Serve clams with bread.

slightly adapted from Bon Appétit, August 2009

butter, shallots, parsley, ginger & lemon zest

lemon ginger butter

clams on the grill

I know, I crowded my pan. I just didn't feel like
getting out another one. But they all opened.

If you don't have a grill, you can steam the
clams in a pot on the stove until they open.

grilled clams with lemon ginger butter

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