Clams Casino

By JimMac

Ingredients

• rock salt
• 24 littleneck or cherrystone clams, scrubbed
• 8 T butter, softened
• 2 shallots, peeled and finely chipped
• 1/4 t paprika
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces

Preparation

Step 1

Method:

Move the oven rack to the top third of oven and preheat oven to 500˚F. Fill a large baking dish halfway with rock salt and st aside. Using a clam knife or a paring knife, shuck clams, loosening clam meat from top shell, and discard top shell, then loosen clam meat from bottom shell. Nestle shucked clams in their shells into rock salt and set aside.

Put butter, shallots, paprika, and salt and pepper (to taste) into a small bowl and mix well. Spoon about 1 t of the seasoned butter onto each clam and top each with a piece of bacon.

Bake clams until edges of bacon are crisp and butter is golden brown and bubbling, about five minutes. Serve hot.