This clam recipe can be served as either first course, or as a tapa. It is quick and easy to prepare. First, sauté the chopped onion and garlic. Add sherry, clams and parsley, and briefly simmer until cooked. Serve with rustic bread.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings
Ingredients:
- 2.2 lbs (1 kg) small clams, such as Venus or Littleneck*
- 1/2 medium yellow or white onion
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 2-3 Tbsp olive oil
- 4-6 oz (118-175 ml) dry sherry
- 4-6 Tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley
- 1 medium lemon (optional)
Preparation:
* In Spain, you may see varieties of small clams called almejas finas or chirlas in the supermarkets or seafood markets. Anny variety of small clam can be used to prepare this dish.
Be sure that the clams are cleaned or purged of sand and impurities. Most producers do this by holding them in salt water before sending them to market. If purging is needed, place clams in salted water for 30 minutes, then rinse and drain completely.
Peel and chop the onion and finely chop the parsley. Peel and slice the garlic. Pour olive oil into a large (10-12 inch) frying pan and heat on medium. When oil is hot, sauté the onion and garlic until it just turns brown. Add the sherry and half of the chopped parsley, cooking for 2-3 minutes.
Add the clams to the frying pan, and stir. Cover and simmer on low for about 4 minutes. Clams should open as cooking. Discard any clams that do not open.
Divide the clams and sauce between four plates. Sprinkle with remaining chopped parsley. Squeeze lemon juice over top of each plate (optional). Serve hot with warm crusty bread to soak up the sherry sauce and chopped onions.
More Spanish Clam Recipes
- Murcian Style Clams Recipe - Almejas a la Murciana
- Clams a la Pescadora or Almejas a la Marinera
- Clams in Green Sauce Recipe - Almejas en Salsa Verde
- Mushrooms with Clams Recipe - Setas con Almejas
- Spanish Clam and Rice Soup - Arroz Caldoso con Berberechos
- Spanish Pasta with Clams and Peppers - Pasta con Almejas y Pimientos
- Fish and Clams in Garlic Wine Sauce Recipe
- Fish Balls and Clams in Green Sauce Recipe - Albondigas de Pescado
