FRIED IPSWICH CLAMS WITH SORREL AIOLI

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Fried Ipswich Clams with Sorrel Aioli image

This dish channels the best of the clam shacks that dot the East Coast. Here, a crunchy cornmeal coating and a quick dip in hot oil render these soft-shell clams succulent and juicy. As an accompaniment, chopped sorrel gives aioli a lemony lift and gorgeous color for a nice twist on tartar sauce. For fun, serve them to your guests the way we do in the restaurants-in little paper cones. They're not hard to fold, make for great oil-absorbing containers, and make you feel like you're on the boardwalk.

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

Canola oil, for frying
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sifted cornmeal
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
24 freshly shucked soft-shell clams
1 cup milk
Sorrel Aioli (recipe follows)
1 fresh egg yolk
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Juice of 1/2 lemon
10 sorrel leaves, chopped
1 1/2 cups canola oil
Kosher salt

Steps:

  • Fill a deep, heavy pot with 3 inches of canola oil and heat to 350°F.
  • Combine the flour and cornmeal on a shallow plate and season with salt and pepper. Dip each clam into the milk, then dredge in the flour mixture.
  • Fry the clams in batches until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt while hot. Serve with the aioli for dipping.
  • Place the egg yolk, water, mustard, lemon juice, and sorrel in a food processor. Pulse a few times to combine. With the motor running, add the oil in a slow, steady stream. Season to taste with salt.

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