New England Style Clams Casino
Tender clams on the half-shell stuffed with seasoned breadcrumbs, bacon, and aromatic vegetables. A classic New England appetizer.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Servings: 48 clams
Full Ingredient List
- 4 dozen littleneck clams
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ pound bacon
- ½ red bell pepper
- ½ lemon
- 2 shallots
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 small bunch scallions
- Salt
- Pepper
Breadcrumb Mixture
Tools and Equipment
Ingredients
| Quantity |
Name |
Preparation Notes |
Substitutions |
| ½ pound |
bacon |
finely diced |
|
| 4 tablespoons |
butter |
|
margarine |
| 1 ½ cups |
panko breadcrumbs |
|
regular breadcrumbs |
| ½ |
red bell pepper |
seeded and finely chopped |
green bell pepper |
| from ½ lemon |
lemon zest |
|
|
| 2 |
shallots |
finely chopped |
onions |
| 2 |
garlic cloves |
minced |
garlic powder |
| 1 small bunch |
scallions |
trimmed and finely chopped |
chives |
| to taste |
Salt |
|
|
| to taste |
Pepper |
|
cayenne pepper |
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Cook finely diced bacon in a large, dry pan over medium heat until crispy, about 10-15 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside, draining the fat from the pan. (Tips: Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon and retain pan for later use.)
-
Step 2:
In the same pan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add panko and toast for 4-6 minutes until light golden. (Tips: Stir panko frequently to avoid burning.)
-
Step 3:
Turn heat to low, add bacon, shallots, garlic, red bell pepper, scallions, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Toss until ingredients are just warm, about 1-2 minutes. (Tips: Do not overcook the mixture to maintain texture.)
Clams and Assembly
Tools and Equipment
Ingredients
| Quantity |
Name |
Preparation Notes |
Substitutions |
| 4 dozen |
littleneck clams |
rinsed and cleaned |
cherrystone clams |
| 1 cup |
dry white wine |
|
bottled clam juice, vegetable broth, water |
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Preheat oven to broil. Place the clams in a salted water bath to expel sand and grit for about 20 minutes, then rinse them again. (Tips: Discard any cracked or open clams before soaking.)
-
Step 2:
Add wine to a large baking sheet to create a thin layer. Arrange the rinsed clams in a single layer on the sheet. (Tips: Ensure even distribution of clams for uniform cooking.)
-
Step 3:
Broil clams in the oven for about 5 minutes, removing each as it opens using tongs, and place on a separate baking sheet. (Tips: Monitor clams closely to avoid overcooking.)
-
Step 4:
Remove unopened clams from the oven. Once clams are cool enough to handle, remove the top shells and loosen the clams from the bottom shells with a fork. Return clams on the half-shell to the baking sheet. (Tips: Be cautious of hot surfaces and wine.)
-
Step 5:
Top each clam with a heaping teaspoon of breadcrumb mixture. Broil for another 2-5 minutes until breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy. (Tips: Stay attentive during the second broil to prevent burning.)
-
Step 6:
Serve clams casino immediately with remaining wine-soaked breadcrumbs and lemon wedges if desired.
Additional Information
Notes: Littleneck clams are the most recommended, but cherrystone clams can be used if unavailable. Adapt wine with clam juice or broth if needed. Avoid overcooking to maintain clam tenderness.
