Littlenecks

Steamed Littleneck Clams in Saffron Broth with Butter

(Single Serving, multiply by how every many people you are trying to feed)

Ingredients:

  • 12 littleneck clams, scrubbed

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 clove garlic, minced

  • 1/2 shallot, finely chopped

  • A pinch of saffron threads

  • 1/4 cup dry white wine

  • 1/2 cup seafood or chicken broth

  • 1 l-2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • Salt and black pepper to taste (no salt is needed because the clams are very briney) 

  • 1/2 Lemon juiced 

  • Crusty bread for serving

Instructions:

  • Prepare the Clams: Scrub the littleneck clams under cold running water to remove any dirt or sand. Discard any clams that are cracked or open and won’t close when lightly pressed.

  • Saffron Broth: In a small pot or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped shallot, and saffron threads. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the garlic and shallot are fragrant and the saffron releases its color and aroma.

  • Adding Liquids: Pour in the white wine and allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes to cook off the alcohol. Add the seafood or chicken broth to the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

  • Steaming the Clams: Add the cleaned littleneck clams to the pot. Cover with a lid and let them steam for 5-7 minutes, or until the clams open. Discard any clams that haven't opened after cooking.

  • Butter and Seasoning: Once the clams are cooked, add the butter to the broth. Let it melt into the broth, stirring gently to incorporate. Season the broth with salt and black pepper if needed and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley.

  • Serve: Serve with slices of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.

NEW ENGLAND CIOPPINO

Recipe courtesy of Fearless Eating. Click the button below for the recipe.

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SPICY SEAFOOD STEW WITH LEEKS, FENNEL AND CALABRIAN PEPPERS

Recipe courtesy of Edible Rhody magazine. Click the button below for the recipe.

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This recipe calls for a mussels, littlenecks, and any firm white fish. Some suggestions for fish include (but are not limited to) sea robin, monkfish, haddock, black sea bass, halibut, tautog, pollock, or John dory. You could also add in additional shellfish such as slipper limpets (an Eating with the Ecosystem favorite species. We suggest briefly steaming them and removing them from the shell before adding them to the stew).

FISHERMAN’S STEW

Recipe courtesy of Eating with the Ecosystem from Simmering the Sea.

If you enjoy this recipe please consider buying the full cookbook to experience the full suite of recipes for all our favorite local seafood species while also supporting Eating with the Ecosystem!

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RECIPE

Serves 4

 INGREDIENTS

FOR THE STEW 

½ onion, diced into ½-inch pieces 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

⅓ cup white wine 

1 cup water (or kelp broth; recipe on page 20) 

1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes 

¼ cup pitted green olives, rinsed and sliced

1 tablespoon capers, rinsed 

2 garlic cloves, smashed and coarsely chopped 

1 bay leaf 

1 teaspoon red chili flakes 

Salt and pepper to taste 

¼ cup parsley, roughly chopped 

Several slices crusty bread 

SEAFOOD 

½ pound mussels, cleaned 

½ pound littleneck or other clams 

2 pounds lobster, only claws and tail in shell 

1 pound Acadian redfish fillets (or other white fish), cut into pieces 

½ pound squid, rings and tentacles 

Pinch of saffron (optional) 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse mussels and clams under cold running water. Refrigerate to keep cool. Split lobster tail in half lengthwise and cut into bite-size pieces. Split claws in half lengthwise. Marinate lobster, fish, and squid with saffron and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Place in refrigerator to keep cool. Sauté onions over medium heat in 2 tablespoons olive oil until translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add white wine and reduce by half. Add water or kelp broth, tomatoes, olives, capers, garlic, bay leaf, and chili flakes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add clams and cook for another 4 to 5 minutes. Add mussels, lobster, squid, and fish. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes. Add parsley and stir. Serve in a deep soup bowl and garnish with crusty bread.