GRILLED CLAMS WITH BASIL BREADCRUMBS

Grilled Clams with Basil Breadcrumbs image

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 cups coarse bread crumbs, toasted
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons good olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
6 sun-dried tomato halves in oil, drained and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
24 littleneck clams, scrubbed clean
2 1/2 tablespoons melted butter

Steps:

Heat a gas grill or prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals.
Combine the bread crumbs, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, salt and pepper in a large serving bowl and set aside.
When the grill is hot, place the clams in 1 layer on the hot grate and allow the heat to open the clams. They'll open gradually for about 5 minutes, then pop-open wide when they're done. Using tongs, remove the clams from the grill and place them in the bowl with the bread crumb mixture and toss together. Drizzle with the melted butter, and serve hot.