Delicious and Simple Garlic and Chili Clams Recipe

Garlic and chili clams are an easy and quick dish that is incredibly appealing with its rich, spicy flavor from garlic and chili. With just a few basic ingredients and a little time, you can whip up this dish to treat your family.

Ingredients Needed

To make garlic and chili clams, you will need the following ingredients:

• Clams: 1kg (choose fresh, live clams with sturdy shells)
• Garlic: 5-6 cloves, minced
• Chili: 2-3 peppers (depending on taste), minced
• Fish sauce: 2-3 tablespoons
• Cooking oil: 2 tablespoons
• Other seasonings: Salt, sugar, pepper (if desired)

Ingredients for garlic and chili clams

How to Make Garlic and Chili Clams

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

• Rinse the clams thoroughly several times with cold water. To make the clams release all the sand, soak them in lightly salted water for 1-2 hours before cooking.
• Mince the garlic and chili. For a more visually appealing dish, you can carve the chili into flower shapes or leave them whole as desired.

Step 2: Sauté the Clams with Garlic and Chili

• Place a pan on the stove and add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, heating it up. When the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and chili and sauté until fragrant.
• Add 2-3 tablespoons of fish sauce to the garlic and chili mixture, stirring well to create a sauce. You can adjust the amount of fish sauce and chili according to your taste.

Step 3: Finish the Dish

• Add the cleaned clams to the pan, stirring evenly over medium heat. As the temperature rises, the clams will start to open.
• Keep a close eye on them; remove any clams that open immediately to prevent overcooking, which can make the clam meat tough and lose its natural sweetness.
• Continue sautéing until all the clams have fully opened. At this point, turn off the heat and transfer the clams to a serving dish.

Presentation and Enjoyment

Once finished, garlic and chili clams exude a tantalizing aroma from the sautéed garlic and the spicy kick of the chili. The tender, sweet clam meat combined with the rich sauce creates an irresistible dish. You can enjoy this with white rice or bread, both of which complement it perfectly.

Tips for Making Garlic and Chili Clams

1. Choose fresh clams: Opt for live clams with tightly closed shells. Avoid buying dead clams or those with open shells as their quality may be compromised.
2. Thorough preparation: Soak the clams in lightly salted water to completely remove the sand, enhancing the dish’s flavor and preventing grittiness.
3. Adjust seasonings: Depending on your taste, you can increase or decrease the amount of chili or fish sauce to suit your preferences.
4. Avoid overcooking: Clams only need to be sautéed until they open to achieve the perfect doneness. Overcooking will cause the clam meat to shrink and lose its natural sweetness.

With this simple garlic and chili clams recipe, you can confidently head into the kitchen and prepare this dish for your family. Give it a try and share your thoughts on this delicious meal!