A shared plate vibrant with colorful morsels. Lavishly garnished clams nestle within the plate's heart, a lush coating of chunky tomato-jalapeno salsa sweeps over the clams, and the oh-so-slightly charred edges of delicately crisp tortilla shards peek out from between. A hint of lime zest and fresh cilantro leaves sporadically scattered on top add the finishing touch.

Chipotle Lime Clams with Tortilla Crisps

Name: Chipotle Lime Clams with Tortilla Crisps
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: medium clams, 24; clam juice, 2 cups; chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 chopped; garlic, 4 cloves minced; onion, 1 diced; large tomato, 1 diced; jalapenos, 2 seeded and chopped; fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup chopped; limes, 4 zested and juiced; mini tortillas, 8 cut into wedges; olive oil, 2 tbsp; ground cumin, 1 tsp; rock salt, to taste

Category Snack

Prep 25 minutes

Cook 25 minutes

Style Tex-Mex

Technique Baking

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily Recipe: November 12, 2023

Inspired by the vibrant flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine, we're going to prepare a delicious clam snack bursting with seasonal ingredients. The star of this dish is the clams, elevated with a touch of chipotle for heat and lime for acidity.

Ingredients (for 4)

Medium clams - 24
Clam juice - 2 cups
Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce - 2 - chopped
Garlic - 4 cloves - minced
Onion - 1 - diced
Large tomato - 1 - diced
Jalapenos - 2 - seeded and chopped
Fresh cilantro - 1/2 cup - chopped
Limes - 4 - zested and juiced
Mini tortillas - 8 - cut into wedges
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Ground cumin - 1 tsp
Rock salt - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🌡️🌮🔥

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Toss tortilla wedges with 1 tbsp of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Arrange them on a baking tray and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
Step 2 - 🥘🌶️🧄

In a large pot, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, jalapenos, chipotle peppers, and cumin. Cook until onions are softened and spices well blended.
Step 3 - 🥘🐚🔥

Add clams to the pot along with clam juice. Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer until clams open, usually 10-15 minutes.
Step 4 - 🥘🍅🌿

Stir in the tomatoes, half of the cilantro, and half of the lime juice. Cook for another 2 minutes.
Step 5 - 🌶️🍽️🥂

Discard any unopened clams and transfer the mixture to a serving plate. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, and a hint of salt. Serve immediately with tortilla crisps on the side for dipping.

Additional

This dish is a fantastic way to bring the beach home during cold seasons - a warm reminder of sunnier times. If you'd like more heat, keep the seeds of the jalapenos. Kids can help prepare the tortillas for baking and garnish the finished dish, under supervision.