Clams With Saffron And Tomatoes

By á-170456

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed saffron threads
• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
• 4 pounds littleneck clams scrubbed
• 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes halved (about one 12-oz basket)
• 2 large shallots thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon finely-chopped garlic plus
• 2 teaspoons finely-chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 4 slices sourdough bread - (6" by 4") cut into thirds
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• Lemon wedges

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

Place vinegar and saffron in heavy large pot over low heat. Cook 1 minute to blend flavors. Remove from heat; let cool. Whisk in olive oil. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.

Preheat broiler. Add clams, tomatoes, shallots and 1 tablespoon chopped garlic to vinaigrette in pot. Cover and cook over high heat until clams open, about 8 minutes (discard any clams that do not open). Remove pot from heat. Using tongs, arrange clams in large serving bowl. Add lemon juice to saffron-tomato broth in pot.

Meanwhile, brush sourdough bread slices lightly with olive oil. Rub bread with remaining 2 teaspoons garlic. Broil bread until golden, about 2 minutes.

Sprinkle clams with chopped parsley. Pour saffron-tomato broth over clams. Garnish with sourdough toasts and lemon wedges and serve.

This recipe yields 4 servings as first course.