Clams Casino
2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) or fat of your choice
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded, deribbed and finely diced
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and finely diced
4 ounces pimento, finely diced
2 ounces dry white wine (or substitute chicken or fish broth)
3 dozen littleneck clams, cleaned and shucked
6 to 8 bacon strips, cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces (enough to cover all 36 clams)
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the ghee. Add the peppers, onions and pimentos and sautГ© until the onions are translucent, about 7 minutes. Stir in wine and simmer until most of the alcohol has cooked off, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Adjust the top rack of the oven so that it is about 6 inches away from the broiler flame. Preheat the broiler to high. Arrange the shucked clams on a baking sheet. Top each clam with 1-2 teaspoons of the veggie mixture (enough to cover the clam) and 1 bacon piece. (Place wider pieces of bacon on the larger clams. Remember the bacon will shrink!)
- Broil the clams in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy, but not burnt. Serve immediately and enjoy!
NOTE: If you cannot get your fishmonger to shuck the clams for you, plan on committing some extra time to this recipe to do the prep work.
