Clams Casino, The Recipe

Delighting People Since 1917

It was invented in Rhode Island, is a popular appetizer in New England, and its variations are served across America. And its called Clams Casino. While it has the word casino in it, you won’t be gambling with your taste buds – you’ll love this dish made of cherrystone or littlenecks clams.

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Legend has it, the clams casino recipe was created way back in 1917 by a maître d’hôtel in Rhode Island’s Little Casino in Narragansett. It was for a rich woman who wanted something special for her guests. The recipe got its name from the hotel’s name. Popular across the country, clams casino appears on just about every menu in Rhode Island. Also quite popular with Italian Americans, the dish appears on almost every trattoria menu in Little Italy, Manhattan.

Here’s an amazing clams casino recipe by renowned chef Giada De Laurentiis.

First, a look at the ingredients:

• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Finely chopped bacon: 2 oz (you can also use sliced pancetta)
• Red bell pepper (finely diced): 1 cup
• Chopped shallots: 1-3 cup
• Minced garlic cloves: 2 large
• Dried oregano: 1/4 teaspoon
• Dry white wine: 1/3 cup
• Freshly grated parmesan: 4 tablespoons
• Some salt and black pepper (freshly ground)
• Shucked littleneck clams, bottom shells reserved: 18, medium sized (2.5 inch)

Directions:

1. After heating the oil in a large skillet on medium heat, add the pancetta and saute till it’s golden and crisp (3 min). Now put the pancetta in a plate with a slotted spoon. Next, add the shallots bell pepper, oregano and garlic in the same skillet for sauteing the shallots. Stop when they’re translucent and tender (5 min).
2. Now its time to add the wine. Simmer it till it’s almost evaporates (2 min) and then let the skillet cool down completely. Now stir two tablespoons of parmesan cheese and pancetta in the vegetable mixture. Season with salt and pepper according to taste.
3. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F. Spread a large baking sheet with foil and lay out the clams in the reserved shells on the sheet. Next, spoon the vegetable mixture on the clams and then sprinkle the other tablespoons of parmesan. Finally, bake till the clams are just cooked through and the topping turns golden (10 min).

So there you go, an amazing clams casino recipe that is sure to light up any meal.

Fatima M.
Freelance Blogger