Grilled Clams with Scallions and Cucumber
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 large cloves garlic, peeled and grated (on a box grater or zester)
- 1 teaspoon ground dried ginger
- Kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly crushed with the flat side of a knife
- 1 large hothouse cucumber, washed, dried and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 large bunch scallions, sliced thin, green and white parts both
- 3 dozen littleneck clams, thoroughly scrubbed of all sand and grit
- Juice from 1 to 2 lemons, depending on taste
- Preheat the grill on high heat.
- Cook the garlic: In a medium pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat.
- When it gets hot, add the garlic and ginger.
- Season lightly with salt and cook, stirring constantly, until they turn golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Remove them from the pan and immediately transfer to a medium bowl to cool.
- Stir in the pine nuts.
- In a larger bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil with the cucumbers and chili flakes.
- Toss to coat them with the oil.
- Season them lightly with salt.
- Sprinkle them with the sugar, vinegar and the sliced scallions and toss to blend.
- Combine with the garlic and pine nuts.
- Cook the clams and finish the dish: Scatter the clams on the grill in a single layer.
- Have a pair of tongs and a large platter ready.
- Clams will being to open after 3 minutes and should take about 10 minutes total.
- As they open, use the tongs to remove them from the grill and place them on the platter.
- When they are all opened, squeeze the juice from the lemons over them and scatter the cucumber and pine nuts all around.
- Try to get the mixture inside the clam shells as well.
- It's so delicious when you bite into the clam and get all the other flavors (and the char on the outside of the shells) all at once.
- Serve immediately.
extravirgin olive oil, garlic, ground dried ginger, kosher salt, pine nuts, hothouse cucumber, chili flakes, sugar, red wine vinegar, scallions, littleneck clams, lemons
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/grilled-clams-with-scallions-and-cucumber-recipe.html (may not work)