Drunken Clams with Sausage
Gorgeous: tarragon, parsley, fennel, celery, onion, sausage, wine, heavy cream, and Littleneck clams.
Heating olive oil -- always a prelude to something good.
First the onions sweat over low heat. We used a spatula to break up the slices.
If the onions are the bass line, the garlic is the first note in the melody.
Celery is next, a big rush of green among the white aromatics.
And fennel bulb to finish -- it's optional, but we loved the note of anise it added to the dish.
Be sure to let the vegetables soften and meld together before moving on -- it all goes quickly from here on out.
We broke up the sausages into small pieces with our hands, but you can also break them up with a spatula.
Try not to stir the pieces too much so they get some good color!
And in go both wines, dry and sweet. These are drunken clams, after all.
As the mixture comes to a boil, add the tarragon, which Kristen describes as "chilled-out licorice."
Time for these cleaned and scrubbed clams to take a steam bath.
Just a few minutes later, they're open! And ready for a generous splash of heavy cream.
After a few minutes of simmering, just until the cream thickens a bit, a shower of parsley brings it all together.
Give the clams a stir, check for seasoning...
...And it's to the table, with a loaf of good, crusty bread.
Author Notes: I developed this dish by experimenting with my favorite ingredients -- clams, sausage, wine and heavy cream. I love it because it is simple to make, because it takes very little time, because it impresses the crowd, and most of all, I love it for the broth! The broth takes me to another world and I can never have enough of it. But the key to getting the dish right lies entirely in CLEANING YOUR CLAMS PROPERLY! So before you go and take the plunge, here is a link to a pretty good explanation on how to do it http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-clean-the-sand-out-of-c-58389. —QueenSashy
Food52 Review: WHO: QueenSashy is a scientist who loves her red Le Creuset pots.
WHAT: A comforting clam and sausage mix that combines both sweet and dry white wine for a powerhouse of flavor.
HOW: Just chop the aromatics, saute everything together, steam the clams, and it's time to eat!
WHY WE LOVE IT: The rich, tarragon-infused broth is the perfect match for a crusty loaf of bread, and the Littleneck clams pair perfectly with sausage. —The Editors
Serves 4
- 4 dozen littleneck clams, cleaned and scrubbed
- 2 sweet Italian sausages (about 10oz), casing removed and meat separated into small pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 4 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 1/2 of small fennel bulb, thinly sliced (optional)
- 5 small garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups dry white wine
- 3/4 cup sweet white wine, such as Muscat
- 10 large fresh tarragon leaves
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Freshly ground pepper
- In a large saucepan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, until soft, for about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic, celery and fennel and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Add the sausage meat and cook for another 5 minutes, until the meat is nicely browned.
- Add the wine (both dry and sweet) and bring to boil. Add the tarragon.
- Add the clams, cover with a lid and cook, shaking the saucepan from time to time, until the clams are open, for about 6 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream, gently shake the saucepan to mix, and simmer over low heat uncovered, for another 2-3 minutes.
- Spoon the clams into bowls or soup plates. Stir the parsley into the broth, season with pepper and then pour over the clams. Serve with fresh bread.
- Your Best Shellfish Contest Winner!
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10 months ago Marie
I ordered this at a fancy restaurant in a college town. Thought 1 dozen clams would never be enough but it was soooo good. I guessed at what was in it and made it a couple days later. I first steamed the clams, so I had that wonderful broth and I mixed it in with just about all of the ingredients you have. It was just wonderful and yes I had some left over for the next day. Great recipe.
about 1 year ago Brenda Dennison
Made this a few times and it's a big hit. DH not into cream sauce so I add some butter instead. It's still delicious and bread dipping worthy.
about 2 years ago Teresa712
This dish is one of my favorites, just amazing. The broth is heavenly with some crusty bread.
over 2 years ago tota
Can I make this without the sausage, my husband is vegetarian and this sounds great except for that.
about 3 years ago laura j.
I made this for dinner tonight and it is AMAZING!!!!!! No modifications necessary whatsoever!!!
over 2 years ago Chispa
All I needed to know...
over 3 years ago jen
Delicious...didn't have sweet wine but was fine without it!
over 3 years ago bausdyn1
I love this recipe. I inadvertantly sent it as I was attempting to download & print the recipe. Kudos to Queen Sashy for a wonderful dish. I cannot, & do not, take credit for the recipe, but I have taken a lot of credit for a great dish whenever I make it.
almost 4 years ago alicia angeles
its taste great but i will try this using other organic herbals. sounds healthy food. thanks for sharing this recipe
about 4 years ago RoundLake Cook
This was fantastic! Perfect for a quick mid-week meal. There were raves all around the table!
about 4 years ago QueenSashy
QueenSashy is a trusted home cook.
Thank you for letting me know!
about 4 years ago Chloe8
Another must try recipe!
about 4 years ago bclelia
Delicious! Who knew that clams were so perfect for dinner parties. Pretty affordable, little effort to make, fun to eat, and present beautifully. I made this recipe last night and it was a big success. My husband requested that me make this dish more often.
about 4 years ago QueenSashy
QueenSashy is a trusted home cook.
bclelia thanks so much for letting me know!
over 4 years ago Inez Dunst
Will try looks great!!
almost 5 years ago DeirdreMS
Flavors even better the next night - made it into a pasta dish and it was fantastic.
almost 5 years ago QueenSashy
QueenSashy is a trusted home cook.
That is a wonderful idea, thanks for letting me know!
almost 5 years ago sexyLAMBCHOPx
Chops is a trusted home cook.
Could I add mussels with clams and simply cook together? I dont eat shellfish but want to make this as part of an entree spread for a casual dinner party.
almost 5 years ago QueenSashy
QueenSashy is a trusted home cook.
Absolutely. Go for it. And good luck with the party!
almost 5 years ago mrslarkin
congrats QS!
almost 5 years ago QueenSashy
QueenSashy is a trusted home cook.
Thank you!
almost 5 years ago viblanco
I made your recipe this weekend and tonight we finished off the leftovers. What do you know, the flavors are even better! Thanks for the contribution; we enjoyed it.
almost 5 years ago QueenSashy
QueenSashy is a trusted home cook.
Wow - had no idea!!! Thanks so much for trying it out and for letting me know.
almost 5 years ago EmilyC
Congrats QS! This looks and sounds amazing!
almost 5 years ago QueenSashy
QueenSashy is a trusted home cook.
EmilyC, thank you!
almost 5 years ago Midge
Congrats QueenSashy. Sounds truly delicious!!
almost 5 years ago QueenSashy
QueenSashy is a trusted home cook.
Thank you!
almost 5 years ago cheese1227
Love clams and sausage. Interesting mix of both sweet and dry wines.
almost 5 years ago mrslarkin
congrats QueenSashy. Love me some clams. Your photos are always so stunning!
almost 5 years ago QueenSashy
QueenSashy is a trusted home cook.
Thanks mrslarkin, the truth is I learned how to take photos way way before I learned to cook :)
Showing 30 out of 38 comments