Clams Steamed in Wine with Parmesan Drizzle

 

5 lb. cherystone clams

1/2 cup cornmeal

 

For Parmesan Drizzle:

4 T. butter

4 ounces cream cheese

1 T. flour

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup half and half

1/3 cup parmesan cheese

salt

 

For Clams:

3 T. butter

2 T. olive oil

1/2 vadalia onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, diced

1 cup white wine

pepper

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 large plum tomato, diced

red pepper flakes

 

8 ounces thin spaghetti, cooked and drained

 

 

Fill a large bowl with cold water. Add clams and cornmeal and let soak for about 30 minutes.

 

For Parmesan Drizzle: Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cream cheese and let melt for a couple minutes. Whisk to combine. This will take a few whisks around the pot. Add flour, milk, and half and half. Whisk to combine. Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt. Cook until slightly thickened. Keep warm.

 

Drain clams and rinse off any cornmeal. Set aside. Heat a large pot to medium high. Add butter and olive oil and melt. Add onions and saute for 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minute. Deglaze pot with wine. Add clams and reduce heat to medium. Cook clams for 8 – 12 minutes or until all shells are open. Pour clams and any liquid into a large serving bowl and top with diced tomatoes, parsley, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

 

To serve, place some of the pasta in a shallow bowl. Top with about a dozen clams and the Parmesan Drizzle.