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Spiked Clams and Oysters

Using tequila as a steaming liquid enhances the flavor of the clams and oysters, but it’s fine to use water instead. Setting the skillet over a grill gives the dish a touch of smokiness, or you can use your stove turned to medium-high heat.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6

Ingredients

1

/2 cup tequila

12

littleneck clams (about 1 1/4 pounds), scrubbed well

12

oysters, such as Malpeque or bluepoint (about 2 pounds), scrubbed well

Chipotle Mayonnaise (recipe follows)

Bloody Mary Sauce (recipe follows)

Lime-Mint Sauce (recipe follows)

Chipotle Mayonnaise

3

/4 cup mayonnaise

1

tablespoon chipotle chiles in adobo

1

teaspoon fresh lime juice

1

/8 teaspoon ground cumin

1

garlic clove

Coarse salt

(makes about 1 cup)

Bloody Mary Sauce

1

/2 pint cherry tomatoes (about 1 cup)

1

1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1

/4 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco

1

1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1

small celery stalk, chopped, plus leaves for garnish (optional)

Coarse salt

1

1/2 teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh horseradish, or prepared horseradish to taste

(makes about 2/3 cup)

Lime-Mint Sauce

1

/4 cup fresh lime juice plus 1 tablespoon freshly grated lime zest (2 to 3 limes)

1

/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves

3

tablespoons sugar

3

tablespoons tequila

(makes 1 cup)

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat a grill to medium-high (if using a charcoal grill, the coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill for just 3 to 4 seconds). Pour the tequila into a medium cast-iron skillet. Add the clams and oysters; tightly cover the skillet with foil. Transfer the skillet to the grill.

    Step 2

    Cook the oysters and clams until they open (check frequently after 8 minutes, lifting a corner of the foil with tongs). Using the tongs, transfer the clams and oysters as they open to serving bowls; continue to cook until all the oysters and clams are open, up to 5 minutes more. (Discard any that remain closed.) Serve with chipotle mayonnaise and sauces.

  2. Chipotle Mayonnaise

    Step 3

    Process the mayonnaise, chipotles, lime juice, cumin, and garlic in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt. If not serving immediately, refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days.

  3. Bloody Mary Sauce

    Step 4

    Blend the tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, lemon juice, and celery in a blender until smooth. Transfer the tomato puree to a small saucepan, and season with salt.

    Step 5

    Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the puree is reduced slightly, about 8 minutes.

    Step 6

    Pass the puree through a fine sieve set over a bowl, pressing on the solids to extract the liquid; discard the solids. Stir in the horseradish. (If not serving immediately, refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 day.) Just before serving, garnish the sauce with celery leaves, if desired.

  4. Lime-Mint Sauce

    Step 7

    Bring the lime juice, zest, mint, sugar, and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat; cover, and let steep until completely cooled, 20 to 25 minutes.

    Step 8

    Pass the lime juice mixture through a fine sieve set over a bowl, pressing on the solids to extract the liquid; discard the solids. (If not serving immediately, refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 day.) Just before serving, stir in tequila.

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Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.