Roasted Clams with Bacon and Duck Fat Beurre Blanc

Jon Vaast

Dressing Room - Westport, CT

Broiled clams get a classy, French-inspired upgrade in this recipe from chef Jon Vaast.

Yield

6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 strips bacon
  • 1 teaspoon grape seed oil
  • 3 shallots, sliced
  • 2 small garlic cloves, sliced
  • 1 sprig thyme
  • 1 small bay leaf
  • 3/4 cup IPA beer
  • 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes and chilled
  • 1/2 cup duck fat, melted
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 12 clams on the half shell
  • 3 chives, sliced thinly

Method

Position a rack at the top of the oven and preheat the oven to 400ºF.

Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and let cool for 5 minutes. Roughly chop and set aside.

Heat the oil in a medium saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for 2 minutes while stirring. Add the beer and bring to a simmer; continue simmering until the beer has almost completely cooked off, about 15 minutes. (Be careful not to burn the reduction.) Remove from the heat. Add the butter one piece at a time, whisking constantly to make an emulsified sauce. Continuing to whisk, drizzle in the duck fat. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.

Lay the clams on a sheet tray. Fill each clam shell with sauce. Place on the top rack in the oven and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, until the sauce caramelizes and breaks slightly. Remove from the oven and let cool for a couple minutes.

To serve, garnish with chopped bacon and chives.


https://www.jamesbeard.org/recipes/roasted-clams-with-bacon-and-duck-fat-beurre-blanc