Clams with Beer, Bacon & Fennel

Wow- isn't this pretty!!!

I found this recipe in the last volume of Coastal Living. 

I've cut this recipe in half for just the Hubs and me.

This was the first time I used my new, bright red Dutch Oven!
My Parents gave it to me for my birthday- I was so excited!

I sauted the about 3/4 cups of chopped fennel in 2 Tbsp of butter on medium-high until it was tender.

I added a little over 1/4 cup of beer & 2 more Tbsp of butter to the fennel, reduced the heat to medium...
and added 1 1/2 lbs of clams!

I placed the beautiful red lid on and let it cook for 10 mins! 

Look at how beautifully they opened up!
*Be sure to discard any that do not open.

I sprinkled them with chopped, fresh parsley. (Add crumbled cooked bacon- can you believe that I forgot mine?!)

We served ours over a bed of Far East Garlic and Olive Oil Cous Cous, and added a side of Vision Health Green Giant Steamed Veggies!

This was such a beautiful...and healthy meal!

Can you tell our table is decorated for Valentines?

The flower bouquet is made of wooden flowers. I added red place-mats...and of course Mickey & Minnie salt and pepper shakers!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

PS- Mason volunteered at Wally's Friends- a low cost (sometimes no cost) spay and neuter clinic in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She dearly loved animals (particularly- dogs...very particularly- Golden Retrievers). Wally's annual fundraiser- Spay-ghetti No Meatballs- is Saturday, February 7th.

Tickets are only $35 (seated dinner, wine/ beer). There is also a silent auction.

Please consider going. I have provided a link for tickets.

Click Here For Tickets!

If you don't live near this event, why not consider helping at your local shelter?

Animals are just one more blessing that make it La Bonne Vie Y'all!

C'est La Semaine De La Mer- It's Seafood Week!!!

I've decided that the next 3 blogs will feature seafood! It's seafood week!!!

Seafood Cataplana in this month's Coastal Living!

This pretty dish was ready in less in 20 minutes. It's easy, it smells great while cooking, and I've got to be honest...I did a fist pump when all the clams opened up.

This is a Portuguese dish. Cataplana is the name of both the recipe and the pan that it is cooked in. A Cataplana is a Portuguese clam shaped pan. I didn't have one of those, but a large saucepan will work just fine.

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp olive oil

6 to 8 ounces chorizo sausage

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

1 tsp paprika

1/4 to 1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp dried crushed red pepper (optional)

1 (14 ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained

1/2 cup white wine

18 small clams in shells, scrubbed

1/2 lb peeled and deveined large raw shrimp with tails

1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Heat oil in saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage
and cook until lightly browned (about 5 minutes). Add onion
and the next 4 ingredients (and red pepper if desired).
Cook 5 minutes or until veggies are tender.

Stir in tomatoes (I used
diced instead of crushed) and wine; bring to a boil.

I got little neck clams from the Publix seafood counter. The were
already cleaned and ready for cooking.

Add clams and shrimp to the boiling sauce.
Close the lid and cook, shaking pan
occasionally, about 7 minutes or until clams
open.

Open the lid very carefully- lots of steam. (Discard any clams that do not open.)

Sprinkle with parsley and serve. It makes 2 servings.

We added a little rice to a bowl and covered it with half of the seafood and sauce.

I think this could easily make 4 servings if I added more rice to the bowl and included a crusty bread and a side salad.

I'm kinda proud of this one!

We're off to a great start on seafood week!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!