Sep122009
Meatballs and Clams
Filed under Meat,Seafood,Shelfish,World Food by Anna at 7:17 AM on Sep 12 2009
Yuruuulll my hubby is back; FINNALY…there was plenty of talking to the walls around here. Long conversations with Basil plants, nooo…. Rosemary I didn’t forget you, I know I bugged the hell out of your ears too. If Talking to plants make them flourish I will have the biggest bushes in town. But it’s over now, so to welcome him back I cooked a delicious Spanish meal. We love Spanish flavors, the smoky flavors of “Pimenton” (smoked Spanish paprika) and some heat from chili powder. It’s a party in your mouth. We had this dish with chunks of peasant bread but it would be wonderful with spaghetti too.
Meatballs and Clams
- 11/2 tablespoons of butter
- 3 small shallots, diced
- 1 heaped tsp smoked Spanish paprika
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- 3 garlic, 2 crushed and 1 sliced
- 2 tbsp dry sherry
- 3 tablespoons fresh breadcrumbs
- Half pound pork mince
- 1 egg yolk
- Olive oil, for frying
- Half pound cleaned squid, cut into rings
- 1cup white wine
- 1 can chopped and squashed tomatoes
- Half pound clams
- Handful flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- Olive oil for drizzle
Melt the butter in a heavy-based casserole soften the shallots for 5 Minutes. Add the paprika and crushed garlic and cook for 1 min until the paprika becomes fragrant. Splash in the Sherry, then pour the whole lot into a bowl with the breadcrumbs. Season and cool.
Add the pork mince and the egg yolk to the bowl mix well. Shape into 18 small meatballs. Wipe the pan, put on a medium-high heat, and add the oil. Fry the meatballs for 5 minutes, just to color, then lift onto a plate, but keep the oil in the pan, fry the sliced garlic. Add the squid and fry to give a little color. Now tip in the white wine and bring to the boil, scraping the bottom. Stir in the pulped tomatoes, bring to the boil, and add the meatballs and the clams. Cover and cook for 5 minutes until the clamshells open. Discard any that stay shut. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley, drizzle with the extra virgin oil, and then serve with crusty bread.
1 Ericaon 12 Sep 2009 at 11:48 AM
I love the first picture! Meatballs and Clams……….sounds interesting and wonderful!
2 Annaon 12 Sep 2009 at 2:38 PM
Thanks Erica, It was delicious.
3 Divinaon 13 Sep 2009 at 8:02 AM
It’s like chorizo and clams. Glad your husband is back. That’s a very romantic photo. I think this would be a great change for the Asian clams we normally do at home. Those meatballs would add a lot of flavor.
4 Sophieon 13 Sep 2009 at 8:27 AM
What an apart & interesting combination of seafood & meat balls!
Looks very tasty too!
5 Annaon 13 Sep 2009 at 5:39 PM
Hi Divina, Asian clams ? That sounds yummy. Do you have it on your blog? I’ll look for it.
6 Annaon 13 Sep 2009 at 5:42 PM
Hi Sophie, I know it’s unusual but very yummy. Next time I’ll make them with pasta.
7 Short and Baldon 15 Sep 2009 at 4:09 PM
very interesting, never had pork meatballs and clams cooked together, would love to try this. thanks. i know how it feels to have your husband back from a trip. my australian husband, bald, has been working outside of new york a lot in the last few years and every time he comes back home after a few weeks absence, i feel like i have the whole world back. ^^
8 Annaon 15 Sep 2009 at 6:14 PM
Oh noes! Few weeks absence? One week and I felt like ages.
9 TasteHongKongon 15 Sep 2009 at 11:24 PM
While enjoy reading this well-written post, I’d love to experience a party in my mouth as well.
BTW, my blog is also written in my second language.
10 Annaon 16 Sep 2009 at 7:29 AM
Thank you Taste, I loved your blog.
11 Jessieon 16 Sep 2009 at 7:55 AM
that is truly a very interesting combination, I would have never thought to put clams and meatballs on the same plate together. I find this dish very fascinating and I can imagine it is bursting with lots of awesome flavors
12 Florentinaon 16 Sep 2009 at 3:58 PM
I really want some of that! Divine!
13 Annaon 17 Sep 2009 at 12:24 AM
Thanks Jessie, loved your site.
14 Divinaon 17 Sep 2009 at 2:47 AM
Hi Anna. I don’t have it on my blog yet. I don’t know when to include it.
15 Annaon 18 Sep 2009 at 9:27 PM
Thank you guys, for all the nice comments.
16 Divinaon 19 Sep 2009 at 4:40 AM
Hello Anna, the clams is similar to the recipe below by Kylie Kwong.
http://www.lifestylefood.com.au/recipes/2941/stirfried-razor-clams-with-black-bean-and-chilli-sauce
17 Annaon 19 Sep 2009 at 3:33 PM
Thanks Divina, I will check it out. Sounds Interesting.