Clams Casino

Ingredients

Fresh clams

12 large, cleaned and scrubbed

Bacon

4 slices, chopped

Unsalted butter

4 tablespoons

Green bell pepper

1/2 cup, finely diced

Garlic

3 cloves, minced

Bread crumbs

1 cup, preferably italian-style

Fresh parsley

2 tablespoons, chopped

Lemon

1, cut into wedges for serving

Salt

1/4 teaspoon

Black pepper

1/4 teaspoon

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. In a medium skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, chop into small pieces.
3. In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced green bell pepper and minced garlic, sautéing until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in the bread crumbs, mixing until they are evenly coated with butter. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and fold in the chopped bacon.
5. Arrange the cleaned clams on a baking sheet, ensuring they are in a stable position. Spoon the breadcrumb mixture generously over each clam, pressing down slightly to secure the topping.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the clams are fully cooked and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
7. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.