Country: United States Of America Region / Locale: Rhode island Servings: Serves 4

Ingredients

• fresh littleneck clams – 24 pieces
• bacon, chopped – 4 slices / 100 g
• red bell pepper, finely diced – 1/2 cup / 75 g
• green bell pepper, finely diced – 1/2 cup / 75 g
• bread crumbs – 1/2 cup / 50 g
• lemon juice – 2 tablespoons / 30 ml
• unsalted butter, melted – 2 tablespoons / 30 g
• garlic, minced – 2 cloves / 6 g
• parsley, chopped – 2 tablespoons / 8 g
• salt – 1/2 teaspoon / 3 g
• black pepper – 1/4 teaspoon / 1 g

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the clams in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, just until they open slightly. Remove from the oven and let cool.
3. Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
4. Using the bacon fat in the skillet, sauté the bell peppers and garlic until soft, about 2-3 minutes.
5. In a bowl, combine the cooked bacon, sautéed vegetables, bread crumbs, lemon juice, melted butter, parsley, salt, and pepper.
6. Carefully open the clams completely, discarding the top shell. Place a spoonful of the breadcrumb mixture on each clam.
7. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crispy.
8. Serve the Clams Casino immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side.

Substitutions

• littleneck clams -> cherrystone clams
• bacon -> pancetta
• red bell pepper -> pimento
• bread crumbs -> panko

Enhancements in the Next Evolution

• Add a splash of white wine to the breadcrumb mixture for depth.
• Incorporate a dash of hot sauce for a hint of spice.
• Use smoked paprika to enhance the smokiness in the dish.