Clams are one of those dishes that perfectly straddle the calendar. They can be eaten raw on a sun-drenched porch in June, or tossed in a cozy seafood pasta to be enjoyed in the dead of January. Strangely, I prefer clams in the cold. There is something hearty about slurping down a grilled clam in front of a fire. It makes me feel like a lighthouse keeper, something I’m still frustrated wasn’t an option on career day.
When I grill clams, I opt for charcoal, but in the interest of staying warm, this recipe can be done seated in front of your hearth. The only necessity is a wood-burning fireplace and a good base of coals. Apologies to all my gas fireplace people, but this is what comes of your brazen laziness.
Ingredients:
12 littleneck clams
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
Juice of 1 lemon
3 cloves of crushed garlic
1 tablespoon seeded mustard
Step 1: Light Your Fire
About an hour or two before you choose to start grilling your clams, light your fire. I shouldn’t have to say this, but no pine, and try to choose smaller, drier pieces that will burn quickly and leave behind hot coals.
Step 2: Clean Clams
While the fire burns down, clean a dozen littleneck clams in the sink under cold running water. Set aside in a bowl.
Step 3: Make Your Butter
In a bowl, combine a softened half stick of unsalted butter with crushed garlic, mustard, and lemon juice. Mix well.
Step 4: Prep Your Coals and Place Clams
Once the fire has burned down, make a flat bed of coals in which to nestle your clams. Place each clam, in batches of three, hinge-side down into the coals. Once clams pop open, remove from fire with tongs, remove top shell, and set aside.
Step 5: Butter Clams
Once clams have had the top shell removed, place a dollop of the compound butter in each and return to the coals in batches of three. Remove once butter is browned and the clam is bubbling.
I prefer to enjoy these clams as an appetizer with a cold glass of Prosecco or an IPA not far away while I cook. As a person who is basically always thinking about the sea, this is a good way to keep it on the tip of the tongue even when there are 6 inches of snow outside.
