Baked Clams

For Italians, the feast of the seven fish is something that is sacred. Seven different kinds of fish on Christmas Eve…sometimes more! Baked clams is one dish that’s a must for me. It’s not Christmas Eve until the tray of baked clams come out!

Ingredients

2 dozen medium sized clams on the half shell

1 cup plain breadcrumbs

3 gloves of garlic minced

2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon clam juice

Directions

NOTE: When you go to buy your clams, ask for 2 dozen clams on a half shell and tell them to save the juice in a container and give it to you

Preheat your oven to 400 F

Run your clams under some water using your fingers to rub the shell and inside to make sure any excess sand in washed out

In a bowl, add your breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, olive oil and clam juice. If the mixture is still too dry, add a bit more olive oil. Be careful with adding too much clam juice or your baked clams will be too salty

Line a baking sheet with foil paper and place all of your clams in the shell on top

Use a teaspoon and spoon the breadcrumb mixture into the shells until the clam is completely covered

Bake for 6-7 minutes

Optional: If you feel like your clams need a little more crunch and didn’t get golden brown while baking you can broil them for a minute or so once baking is done.

Buon appetito!