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5 from 10 votes

Grilled Clams with Charred Jalapeño Basil Butter.

This is one of those recipes that's barely a recipe. I mean, basically the recipe is for the butter. It's literally clams and butter. Simple as that, but the clams?? They could not be better.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 807kcal

Ingredients

  • 2-4 pounds littleneck clams rinsed + scrubbed
  • 2 jalapeños
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened, 8 tablespoons
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2-4 ounces blue cheese crumbled

Instructions

  • To make the Jalepeno Basil Butter, preheat the grill or grill pan to high heat.
  • Once the grill is hot, add the jalapeños and charr all over, about 2 minutes per side. Once charred, remove from the heat and place in a bowl to cool, cover with a dish towel. Once cool enough to handle slice the jalapeños in half, remove your desired amount of seeds and then finely dice.
  • To a bowl mix together the softened butter, jalapeños, honey, basil, zest of 1 lemon and a pinch of salt. Mix until combined and then fold in the blue cheese (if using). The butter can be store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Before serve, leave the butter on the counter to soften or lightly melt over the stove.
  • To make the clams, preheat the grill to high. Once hot, add the clams in a single layer, cover and cook until the clams open, about 5-10 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open. Toss the hot clams with the jalapeño butter and serve with more butter, toasted bread and corn. Enjoy warm!

Notes

*If you are making 4 pounds of clams, you might want to think about doubling the butter. You do not need to, but if you, or whoever you are serving, likes a lot of butter with their clams than doubling the butter recipe might be wise. **If you do not have a grill, the clams can just as easily be cooked in a skillet or steamed. The jalapeños for the butter can be charred under the broiler.

Nutrition

Calories: 807kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 696mg | Potassium: 78mg | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1155IU | Vitamin C: 10.8mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 0.6mg