Littleneck Clams And Potatoes In Chipotle Broth Recipes

Steps:

• In a pot, combine all the tamarind, palm sugar, lemongrass and 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Mash the mixture with a potato masher. Strain the stock through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth while pressing with the back of a wooden spoon. (This can be done 4 to 5 days in advance.) Keep refrigerated until needed.
• Purge the clams: In a bowl, combine the clams, cornmeal, and 4 cups of cold water. Place in the refrigerator for about 30 to 40 minutes, to clean out any sand. Remove the clams from the water and discard the water.
• Pass the tomatoes through a food mill to remove the seeds (they can be bitter), so that only the juice remains. Set aside.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the cellophane noodles for 4 to 6 minutes, or until done. Strain and put 1/2 cup each of the noodles in 4 wide soup bowls.
• In a wok fitted with a steamer rack (or circular cake rack), bring the tamarind stock, ginger juice, and tomato juice to a boil. Place the clams on the rack, cover, and cook until they open and release their juice into the broth. Divide the clams among the soup bowls, leaving the broth in the wok.
• Stir the sweet soy sauce, minced chile, and basil into the broth and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the fish sauce. Ladle the broth over the clams and garnish with scallions and lemon zest. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Cook clams:
• In 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking. Add garlic and sauté until golden brown, about three minutes. Add salt, pepper, and pepper flakes, and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Increase heat to moderately high and add clams, white wine, 1 1/4 cups water, and thyme. Cover and bring to a boil. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until clams open, about 5 to 7 minutes. Discard clams that do not open after 8 minutes.
• While clams cook, grill bread:
• Preheat grill (high heat).
• Brush bread slices with olive oil on both sides and grill, flipping once, until golden brown and crispy, about 4 minutes per side. (Alternately, bread may be toasted in broiler until golden brown and crispy.) Keep warm.
• When clams are cooked, stir in parsley. Serve clams with grilled bread.

Steps:

• Using a mortar and pestle, or on a cutting board using flat part of a knife, mash together garlic and salt until a paste forms. Scrape paste into a small bowl and stir in butter, lemon juice and cayenne. Taste and make sure salt and lemon are balanced.
• Preheat grill. Place clams directly on grill grate or on a large baking pan in a single layer. Cover grill and let clams cook for 2 minutes. Open grill and check clams, using tongs to remove any that have opened, and transfer them to a large bowl. Be careful not to spill clams' juices when transferring them. Close grill lid and check every 30 seconds, removing clams as they open.
• Pour lemon-cayenne butter over clam bowl and toss lightly. Serve hot, garnished with chives.