My Dad is quite the character. Ha! He taught me a lot about incorporating a good work ethic and how important it is to be detailed and organized. He was a taskmaster! I wonder where I got that from? Ha!
He wasn’t much of a cook, but he has always loved his clams. In fact, he’s the one that taught me how to go clamming growing up in Rhode Island. If you enjoy eating clams, this recipe is his specialty that we pretty much eat almost every time we visit the family home in Rhody.
Clams Casino
Makes 100 casinos, which is great for a big family gathering!
Ingredients
50 littleneck clams or very small quahogs
1/2 lb. bacon
2 green peppers, finely chopped
1 red pepper, finely chopped
8 slices of extra sharp cheddar cheese cut into small pieces (This is my choice, my Dad likes American cheese. Oh no! Ha!)
Clam knife
Baking sheet
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Open the littlenecks with a sharp clam knife. Don’t forget to save the clam juice!
Once opened, cut out the clams, divide them into both shells and place them on a baking sheet.
Top each with finely chopped green and red peppers.
Place one small slice of cheese on top of the pepper mixture.
Complete your casinos (aka your clamshells) by topping them with a small piece of bacon.
Pour the extra clam juice that you saved on top of your casinos.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until the bacon is crisp.
Oh boy! Does this bring back great memories standing around our kitchen table while everyone had their certain task! If you’d like some recipe ideas that can be served alongside your delicious Clams Casino, Just Ask!
Here’s to all the Dads out there!
