Clams recipes

To the delight of clam lovers on the East Coast and Pacific Northwest, clams are available year round. OK, let's make some clams.

Clam is a word which can be used for all, some, or only a few species of bivalve mollusks; the word is a common name which has no real taxonomic significance in biology. It is however quite widely used as part of the common names of bivalves, and also has significance in fisheries and cuisine.

Garlicky clam dip made with cream cheese, minced clams, clam broth, Worcestershire, and fresh lemon juice. A no-cook appetizer that's ready in 15 minutes for crackers, chips, or veggies.

Hot clam dip with cream cheese, minced clams, Worcestershire, mustard, and a kick of cayenne. Served warm with Melba toast for easy party appetizer.

White clam sauce made in the microwave with olive oil, garlic, canned clams, parsley, and oregano. A 15-minute pantry-friendly pasta sauce for spaghetti.

Mushroom clam chowder made with minced clams, fresh mushrooms, celery, and onion in a light cornstarch-thickened skim milk broth. A lower-fat twist on classic clam chowder ready in 45 minutes.

New England clam chowder quiche: canned clam chowder, bacon, sour cream, onion, and eggs baked in a pie crust with a layer of cheese in the middle.

Italian baked clams on the half shell stuffed with herbed bread crumbs, garlic, Romano cheese, basil, oregano, and lemon juice, finished with a splash of white wine. A classic Italian-American appetizer.

Chuck's New England clam chowder layers tender chopped clams, potatoes, and celery into a silky roux-thickened half-and-half broth finished with a splash of sherry. Classic Yankee comfort in a bowl.

New England clam chowder with rendered salt pork, golden onions, tender potatoes, and fresh chopped clams in a milk broth. Old-school chowder, no flour thickener.

Manhattan clam chowder made from scratch with fresh clams, salt pork, potatoes, tomato juice, and thyme. The classic New York red chowder with no cream and real briny clam flavor.

Old-school Cape Cod clam chowder with smoky bacon, tender potatoes, ground clams, and milk. Make the base today, finish it tomorrow for deep, layered New England flavor.

Chinese-style steamed stuffed clams with cherrystones, minced pork, ginger, scallion, and soy. A dim sum appetizer with delicate seafood layered over savory pork in the half shell.

Easy clam chowder uses canned potato soup and minced clams for a creamy, New England-style bowl in minutes. Warmed through with milk, thyme, and butter, then topped with crisp crumbled bacon.

Thai-style stir-fried clams with garlic, chili paste, fish sauce, and fresh mint. A fast, fiery shellfish dish where the clams steam open in a fragrant, spicy broth.

Clam stuffed mushroom caps filled with sauteed clams, garlic, breadcrumbs, and parsley, then broiled until golden. A classic seafood appetizer finished with fresh lemon juice.