Pacific Northwest Bounty....

I stopped at our local "candy store" yesterday...Taylor Shellfish.  So last night it was oysters on the half shell with steak and salad.  And tonight, my favorite...steamed clams with saffron rice...

For the rice...
Heat 1/3 cup white wine (zap in a microwave 30 seconds), add 2-3 pinches whole saffron and allow to sit for 5 - 10 minutes.  Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a small saucepan.  Add 1/2 cup each chopped onion and green pepper; cook until softened, about 3 - 4 minutes.   Add 2/3 cup long grain white rice and stir until rice begins to slightly brown.  Add 2/3 cup chicken broth and the white wine and saffron.  Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low.  Cook for about 20 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is soft and fluffy.

For the clams...
Wash 3 pounds Manilla clams in 2 - 3 changes of cold water.  Place in large skillet and drizzel with 2 tbsp olive oil.  Add 1 cup white wine, a lot of freshly ground black pepper, 2 - 3 cloves minced garlic and a handful of chopped fresh parsley.

 Cover and cook over medium high heat until clams open, about 10 minutes.  Discard any clams that do not open.  Serve clams and broth with saffron rice in a wide bowl with a salad and a lot of good crusty bread.  Serves 2 - 4 (depending on how hungry they are...serves one if it's Brian or Gerry :)

I like a nice Viognier with this (Walter Dacon Winery...right up the road from Taylor Shellfish :)

Links:

Taylor Shellfish

Walter Dacon Winery

Both have online stores....clams, oysters and wine...delivered right to your door for those who don't live near Shelton...

Enjoy!

Deb