Cheese And Clam Pairing: The Perfect Match

Clams and cheese are a delicious combination, and there are many ways to enjoy them together. From baked clams with cheese to cheesy stuffed clams, the briny flavour of clams pairs surprisingly well with a variety of cheeses. For those who enjoy a more hands-on dining experience, clam cheese log appetizers are a fun and tasty option. While some people may prefer the convenience of canned or frozen clams, it's worth noting that fresh clams offer a unique flavour experience when cooked in their shells. Whether you're looking for a sophisticated main course or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, the dynamic duo of clams and cheese is sure to impress.

Cheesy stuffed clams

Ingredients:

• Clams (large, well-rinsed, and cleaned)
• Onion (minced)
• Butter (stored at room temperature)
• Parsley (chopped)
• Garlic cloves (minced)
• Lemon juice
• Breadcrumbs
• Cheese (Cheddar or Parmesan)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

• Boil the clams for about 10 minutes or until they open. Remove them from the pot and discard any clams that haven't opened.
• Remove the clam meat and mince them finely.
• Saute the minced onions in butter. Once softened, add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
• Add the parsley, breadcrumbs, boiled clams, lemon juice, clam juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until almost all liquid is absorbed and the mixture is moistened.
• Break apart the clamshells at the hinge and rinse thoroughly. Select a dozen of the best-looking clams and refrigerate.
• Fill the clamshells with the filling and top with cheese.
• Lay them on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for approximately 25 minutes. For a crispier top, broil them on high for a minute before removing from the oven.
• Once ready, sprinkle them with chopped parsley and serve!

Tips:

• Soak the clams in cold water for around 20 minutes to remove any sand and grit. Repeat the process a few times to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned.
• You can add a little piece of cheddar cheese underneath the clam mixture in each clam for an extra cheesy bite.
• For a crispier texture, drizzle olive oil over the stuffed clams before baking.
• Serve with lemon slices and hot sauce on the side.

Clam chowder with garlicky bread

Ingredients

For the clam chowder:

• Clams
• Celery
• White wine
• Dried thyme
• Smoked paprika
• Heavy cream
• Butter
• Potatoes
• Mussels
• Corn on the cob
• Shrimp
• Andouille sausage

For the garlicky bread:

• Bread of your choice (e.g., French bread or garlic bread)
• Butter
• Garlic

Optional:

• Cheese (e.g., Parmesan, Cheddar, or cream cheese)
• Parsley

Instructions

Start by preparing the clam chowder:

• Chop and sauté celery, and other vegetables of your choice (such as onions or carrots), in butter until softened.
• Add white wine and dried thyme to the pot and simmer for a few minutes to release the flavors.
• Introduce the seafood: clams, mussels, shrimp, and any other seafood you wish to include. Cook until the clams and mussels open.
• Pour in heavy cream and sprinkle with smoked paprika to taste. Stir well and simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

While the chowder is cooking, prepare the garlicky bread:

• Mince or press the garlic cloves.
• Mix the garlic with softened butter to create a garlic compound butter.
• Spread the garlic butter generously on slices of bread.
• Toast the bread in the oven or on a skillet until golden and crispy.

To serve, ladle the hot clam chowder into bowls and serve with a side of garlicky bread. For an extra cheesy touch, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese or Cheddar cheese on top of the chowder, and garnish the garlic bread with chopped parsley.

Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese and adjust the recipe to your taste. Enjoy your delicious and hearty meal!

Linguine with clam sauce

Ingredients

• 16 ounces of linguine pasta
• 2 6.5-ounce cans of clams (with juice)
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil or extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of dried parsley or 1/2 cup of fresh parsley
• 1/4 tablespoon of dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic
• Ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

Optional Ingredients for Breadcrumbs

• 1/2 clove of garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons of Italian flat-leaf parsley, minced
• 5 slices of day-old bread, or 1 cup of store-bought plain breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil

Method

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
• Cook the linguine until tender yet firm to the bite (about 11 minutes). Drain.
• While the pasta is cooking, combine the clams with their juice, oil, butter, parsley, basil, garlic, and pepper in a large saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat until boiling.
• Serve the warm clam sauce over pasta, garnished with Parmesan cheese.

Optional Breadcrumbs

• Pulse the day-old bread in a food processor along with the garlic, parsley, salt, and olive oil.
• Heat a large pan to medium and add the breadcrumb mixture.
• Stir frequently and cook until the breadcrumbs turn golden (about 5-7 minutes).
• Serve the breadcrumbs on the side or sprinkle over the pasta.

Clam cheese log appetiser

Ingredients

• Clams
• Cream cheese
• Seasonings
• Pecans

Method

This is a simple yet tasty appetiser that combines the flavours of cream cheese, seasonings, and clams, with pecans adding a nutty twist.

Firstly, you will need to prepare your clams. For this recipe, you will need to boil 10 large, well-rinsed and cleaned clams for about 10 minutes or until they open. Once boiled, remove the clams from the pot and discard any that haven't opened. Then, remove the clam meat and mince it finely.

Next, you will make the cheese log. In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, seasonings, and minced clam meat until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. On a sheet of cling film, shape the mixture into a log and roll it tightly, twisting the ends to seal. Refrigerate the cheese log for at least an hour to firm up.

When ready to serve, unwrap the cheese log and roll it in chopped pecans to coat the outside. Serve with crackers or bread and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

• You can experiment with different types of cheese, such as cheddar or Parmesan, to find your favourite combination.
• Try adding other ingredients such as onions, garlic, parsley, or lemon juice to enhance the flavour.
• For a crispy texture, you can bake the stuffed clams as mentioned in the 'Cheesy Stuffed Clams' recipe.

Baked clams with cheese

Ingredients

• Clams
• Butter
• Onion
• Parsley
• Garlic
• Lemon juice
• Breadcrumbs
• Cheese

Method

First, rinse your clams and place them in a bucket of cold water with cornmeal and salt. Set aside.

Next, melt some butter in a pan over medium heat and add your chopped onion. Once the onion has softened, add the garlic and cook for a further minute. Then, add your parsley, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, and any other seasonings you desire. Stir everything together until a thick, moist mixture forms.

Now, it's time to stuff your clams. Open each clam and place a spoonful of the breadcrumb mixture on top. You can also add a little piece of cheddar cheese underneath for an extra cheesy treat!

Place the stuffed clams on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.

Finally, sprinkle your baked clams with some chopped parsley for garnish and serve while hot!

Variations

You can also sprinkle your favourite cheese on top of the clams before baking, such as Parmesan or cheddar. If you're feeling fancy, you can even broil the clams on high for a minute before serving to get a crispy, golden topping.

Frequently asked questions