Vongole Mediterranio (Baked Clams & Rice With Saffron)

• clams↗2 lbs

  fresh, wash and cleaned (reserve clam liquid & shells)

• wine↗1⁄4 cup

  white, dry

• garlic↗1⁄2 teaspoon

  finely chopped

• onion↗1⁄2

  sweet, medium, finely chopped

• butter↗3 tablespoons
• rice↗2 cups

  white, long grain

• saffron thread↗1⁄2 teaspoon

  good quality

• chicken stock↗3 cups
• butter↗2 tablespoons
• scallions↗2 tablespoons

  chopped

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Place clams in a pot with wine and garlic, cover and steam the clams for 5 - 6 minutes (until they open).

2. 2

   Please, discard any clams that do not open -- they are bad.

3. 3

   Drain the pot, reserving the liquid and remove the clam meat from the shells. Leave some clams in the shell for garnishing.

4. 4

   Set the clams aside.

5. 5

   Strain the clam liquid in a sieve that has been lined with cheese cloth, linen or a muslin cloth and reserve the clam liquid.

6. 6

   Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

7. 7

   Saute the onion in butter in an ovenproof casserole for 2 - 3 minutes.

8. 8

   Add the rice and saffron to the casserole dish and gently stir to coat with butter.

9. 9

   Next add the chicken stock and clam liquid to the dish and bring to a boil. Stir the rice once, reduce the heat and cover the dish.

10. 10

    Place the casserole dish in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.

11. 11

    Remove the casserole dish from the oven and uncover, add the clams and butter to the dish, gently mixing together.

12. 12

    Re-cover the casserole dish , return to oven and bake for 7 minutes more.

13. 13

    Remove dish from oven, uncover, sprinkle with the scallions, garnish with the reserved clams in shell and serve immediately.

14. 14

    A wonderful light meal, served with fruit salad.