Garlicky Baked Clams Recipe

These easy baked clams have a garlicky breadcrumb topping (with a bit of chile in it if you like). They add easy and relatively affordable luxury to any feast and are especially easy if you ask your fishmonger to shuck the clams for you (if you think of it, call ahead to let them know you'd like shucked clams so they have time to shuck them for you). Once shucked, the clams should be used within a few hours. We like to serve these clams with well-chilled champagne or dry white wine, but serving them with a cold beer would be equally good.