baked clams

Does anyone have a really, really good recipe for baked clams. I am hosting Christmas eve and I will do baked ziti, shrimp cocktail and I would like to do baked clams.

I could just buy frozen ones but I have finished all shopping and most of the wrapping. So I would like to try making them from scratch.

Thanks in advance.

ETA: How far in advance can I buy the clams? Can I buy them saturday? I have plan on Sunday and I am not sure if the fish market will be open on Monday.

Message edited 12/17/2012 6:29:16 AM.

Re: baked clams

How far in advance can I buy the clams? Can I buy them saturday? I have plan on Sunday and I am not sure if the fish market will be open on Monday.

Re: baked clams

I make baked clams all the time for appetizers using this very basic recipe, and everyone loves them. They are relatively easy to do and you can make them in advance and then just bake them when ready to serve.

You can use fresh clams, but I use canned, and they come out great!

Baked Clams

1 lb fresh or canned clams in juice [I use 3 6.5 oz cans of chopped clams, found by the canned tuna]
1 cup of plain, unseasoned dry breadcrumbs
2 tsps finely chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
2 Tbs finely chopped onion
4-6 minced garlic cloves
[Note: I just throw the parsley, onion, and garlic in the food processor to get them finely chopped]
6 Tbs olive oil
freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 lemons
salt to taste

1. Saute onion, garlic, and parsley in olive oil in a large skillet until very soft.

2. Pour breadcrumbs into the mixture and remove from heat.

3. Add clams with juice [if using canned, I usually use 2 cans of juice and drain the third can, so the mixture isn't too wet, but use your judgment] and combine well. Add salt to taste, mix, and then squeeze fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon over mixture.

4. Spoon into foil clam shells and sprinkle each clam with grated parmesan. [You can make them a day in advance up to this point. Just cover and store in the refrigerator.]

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Squeeze additional fresh lemon juice on top before serving OR serve with lemon wedges.