Gluten-Free Clam Casino

Ingredients

• 24 clams fresh littleneck clams, scrubbed clean 24 clams fresh littleneck clams, scrubbed clean
• 4 slices gluten-free bacon, finely diced 4 slices gluten-free bacon, finely diced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp gluten-free breadcrumbs 2 tbsp gluten-free breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 lemon cut into wedges, for serving 1 lemon cut into wedges, for serving

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the scrubbed littleneck clams onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are in a single layer. You can discard any clams that are open and do not close when tapped.

2. 2

   In a medium skillet, cook the finely diced gluten-free bacon over medium heat until it is crispy and has rendered its fat, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the crispy bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the skillet.

3. 3

   Add the finely chopped onion and red bell pepper to the skillet with the bacon fat. Sauté the vegetables over medium heat until they are softened and translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

4. 4

   Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the gluten-free breadcrumbs, chopped fresh parsley, olive oil, gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the topping ingredients into a cohesive mixture.

5. 5

   Carefully spoon the topping mixture generously over each clam on the baking sheet, pressing it down slightly to adhere. Sprinkle the reserved crispy gluten-free bacon bits over the top of each clam. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the clams are bubbling and cooked through.

6. 6

   Once baked, carefully remove the clam casino from the oven. Let them cool for a minute or two before serving hot with fresh lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the clams.

Nutrition (per serving)

Tips & Notes

• If substituting olive oil for butter, use about 3/4 the amount (olive oil is 100% fat, butter is ~80%).
• Roasted garlic (400°F, 30–40 min in foil) gives a sweet, mellow flavor ideal for soups and sauces.
• Caramelize onions over medium-low heat for 30–45 minutes for a sweet depth; rush at high heat and they'll be bitter.