GRILLED CLAMS WITH LEMON-CAYENNE BUTTER

Grilled Clams With Lemon-Cayenne Butter image

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories dinner, easy, quick, main course

Time 2m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 large garlic clove, minced
Large pinch kosher salt, more to taste
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, more to taste
Pinch cayenne pepper
2 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed
Chopped fresh chives, for serving

Steps:

Using a mortar and pestle, or on a cutting board using flat part of a knife, mash together garlic and salt until a paste forms. Scrape paste into a small bowl and stir in butter, lemon juice and cayenne. Taste and make sure salt and lemon are balanced.
Preheat grill. Place clams directly on grill grate or on a large baking pan in a single layer. Cover grill and let clams cook for 2 minutes. Open grill and check clams, using tongs to remove any that have opened, and transfer them to a large bowl. Be careful not to spill clams' juices when transferring them. Close grill lid and check every 30 seconds, removing clams as they open.
Pour lemon-cayenne butter over clam bowl and toss lightly. Serve hot, garnished with chives.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 359, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 25 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 26 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 1049 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 1 gram