Baked Clams

Serves: Six | Prep: 20 min | Cook: 25 min

Ingredients:

Baked Clams:
10-12 Fresh Clams, cleaned and finely chopped
3 Tbsp clam juice
4 Tbsp butter
1 onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup Dried Italian Bread Crumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
3-4 slices of bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Fresh lemon wedges

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375F/190C. Grease clam shells or Foil Baking Shells.

Melt butter in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the chopped onions and celery, and cook for 3-5 minutes, until they soften. Stir in the garlic, salt, and pepper, and cook for another 30-60 seconds. Add the chopped clams along with the clam juice and lemon juice, stir and cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley.

If the mixture seems too dry, add a bit more clam juice until it holds together nicely. Scoop the mixture into the prepared clam shells and top each one with a piece of bacon. Bake for 20-25 minutes, then turn on the broiler for 1-2 minutes to really crisp up the bacon. Serve warm with lemon wedges on the side.

**If using canned clams, use 2 6.5oz cans, just drain and reserve liquid.
**If freezing, freeze clams before baking.

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