Cape Cod Clams Casino

I remember only a few things that my dad made in the kitchen growing up. Clams Casino is one of them and I have very fond memories of him shucking clams over the kitchen sink. This recipe is based on this family favorite.

Clams Casino
2 doz. Littleneck clams
4 tbsp. red pepper, minced
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
4 tbsp. garlic butter (see below)
4 slices bacon
3 tbsp. Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Sea salt
Fresh ground pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Steam clams open in a deep pan covered on high heat or a brief 2 minutes, remove from heat and let them rest so they are easy to pry on the half shell. Open clams with a clam shucker knife; loosen meat from both top and bottom; then pour off liquid. Make garlic butter. Cook bacon until almost done but still soft; cut into 1 inch pieces. Place clams on the half shell onto a baking sheet. On each clam, put a 1/2 teaspoon of garlic butter, a light sprinkle of red pepper, and cover with a mixture of bread crumbs and optional grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Top with a piece of bacon. Heat for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Serve with lemon wedges and warm French bread to dip into the garlic butter. Serves as an appetizer for 4 people.

Garlic Butter
Cream together:
1/2 cup butter
1 clove minced garlic
1/4 cup minced shallots
1/4 cup minced parsley
2 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. white wine (optional)

Tags: Baked Clams, Cape Cod Littlenecks, Clams Casino Recipe