Almejas Ahumados aka Party Clams !!!

These are the clams I made after a recent trip to Ensenada.  I like to call them Party Clams since I can't pronounce the official name. Also they seem like something you would eat at a party right? Or they make you want to party.  After having a taste I was instantly hooked! We happened to stop by the fish market on our way home and bought these lovely huge clams and some fish.  These butter clams are available in the US, I've seen them at many Asian and Mexican markets.

Ingredients
8 Large butter clams
1 Tomato diced
1 Onion diced
1/2 Cup of chopped cilantro
1 Stick of butter
3 Cloves of garlic crushed
About 8 Tbs. of may
4 Cups of Monterey jack cheese
Limes for a garnish and to squeeze over to taste
Hot sauce of your choice if you like to spice things up
Saltines crackers to be eaten with the clams.  I like to scoop up the clam with the crackers and enjoy.


Fire up your grill! Let it warm up while you do all the prep work.  First you will want to put your stick of butter into a small sauce pan with the crush garlic.  Put it on medium and let the garlic infuse that luscious butter for about 10 minutes.  In the meanwhile you will want to clean and chop your clams ( putting the meat back into the half shells). Make sure to rinse away any sand that has been left over.  Sandy eats are not appealing!  Saving the shell, since you will be using it to cook with.  Combine the tomato, onion and cilantro in a bowl.  Start assembling your clams! Top your clams with the tomato, onion and cilantro mixture, about a tablespoon per half shell. Then a dollop of mayo, I would say about 1/2 a tablespoon per half shell.  You'll then want to put a tablespoon of that garlic love on each half shell.  Once they are all assembled you will want to make your way out to the grill.

Have the grill on high heat and let them cook for about 5 minutes, after that you will want to put your cheese on top. Add about 1/4 cup of cheese to each.  As soon as the cheese is all melty ( another 5 minutes with the bbq lid closed) they are READY!