Best Stuffed Clams Cape Cod Appetizer Recipes

EASY DELICIOUS STUFFED CLAMS

Steps:

• 1. (*Note: I save and freeze clam juice from canned clams that I use in different recipes. You may use the reserved juice of the drained clams plus one 8 oz. bottle of clam juice and enough water to equal 1 1/2 cups total.)
• 2. Drain clams in small strainer over a 2 cup measuring cup; set clams aside.
• 3. Add enough clam juice and water to the cup to equal 1 1/2 cups.
• 4. Pour clam juice into a microwavable bowl; add 4 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning; cover bowl with lid or wax paper; microwave on high power for 3 1/2 minutes or until it begins to boil
• 5. Remove from microwave, add dry stuffing mix (and seasoning packet, if included;) stir well. Cover and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
• 6. Preheat oven to 375ºF.
• 7. Add clams to mixture; mix to combine well.
• 8. Spoon mixture into empty, clean clam shells. Place filled shells in a 9"X13" baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet; set aside.
• 9. Place remaining 1 tablespoon butter in small microwavable cup; cover with small piece of wax paper or paper towel to prevent splatter; microwave on high power for 10 to 15 seconds to melt butter.
• 10. Brush or spoon butter evenly over each stuffed shell.
• 11. Lightly sprinkle each with a little extra old bay seasoning.
• 12. Bake at 375ºF for 30 minutes. Garnish as desired. Serve hot or warm. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

BAKED STUFFED CLAMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
• In a large frying pan, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook until translucent. Stir in clams, crab meat, parsley, lemon pepper, and bread crumbs. Reduce heat to low, and slowly pour in clam juice until mixture is slightly sticky, but not wet. The bread crumbs will continue to absorb moisture, so be careful not to add too much clam juice.
• Fill each clean clam shell with mixture, pressing tightly into shell. Arrange on a baking sheet, and sprinkle lightly with paprika. (Stuffed shells may be covered and frozen at this point for later use.)
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and sizzling. If frozen, bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes, or until warmed through. Serve warm on a platter with lemon wedges.

HILDA'S STUFFIES (STUFFED QUAHOGS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, and bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the clams to the boiling water, cover, and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes or until the shells open. Discard any shells that do not open. Remove the clams from the pot and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan. When the clams are cool enough to handle, gently pry the shells apart enough to remove the clam, leaving the hinge attached. Loosen the muscle in the lower shell and remove the clam from the shell. Save the 6 nicest shells and place the shells on a parchment-lined baking sheet and set aside. Finely chop the clam meat and set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, stir the butter and 1 tablespoon of the garlic together. Season the butter with salt and pepper. Spoon the butter onto a piece of plastic wrap. Form the butter into a 1-inch log, cover tightly, and place in the refrigerator. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and cook until rendered, about 2 minutes. Add the onions, celery and peppers. Season lightly with Essence. Cook for 2 more minutes. Stir in the remaining garlic, the breadcrumbs, and reserved clam meat and remove from the heat. Stir in the reserved cooking liquid and 2 tablespoons of the parsley. Season with Essence and cool slightly.
• Pack the stuffing mixture into one side of each shell. Slice the compound butter into 6 equal slices. Place a slice of the butter on top of each stuffing mixture. Using your hands, pat the stuffing firmly into each clam shell. Top each evenly with the cheese and the remaining parsley. Close the shells as tightly as possible and wrap with aluminum foil or tie the shell tightly with butchers twine.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Unwrap the clams and place on a serving platter. Garnish with additional parsley and Essence and serve hot.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from New New Orleans Cooking by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

BAKED STUFFED CLAMS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Cook onion until softened but not browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute, stirring, just until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add wine, and bring to a simmer. Add clams, and stir to combine. Cover and steam until clams have opened, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer clams to a rimmed baking sheet to cool, discarding any that do not open. Strain clam broth through a fine sieve, and reserve broth for making stuffing.
• When clams are cool enough to handle, remove all meat, and reserve. Remove half of each clam shell, and discard. Arrange the remaining halves on a rimmed baking sheet. Cut each clam into ½-inch pieces; return pieces to shell. (Clams can be prepared to this point up to 1 day ahead. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Dividing evenly, press Herbed Breadcrumb Stuffing into clam shells, smoothing with the back of a spoon. Bake until tops are golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Nestle clams on seaweed, if desired, and serve immediately.