198. GRILLED CLAMS with SMOKED CHILI-CACHUCHA MOJO and BACON

MOJO:
5 smoked chipotle chili pods, toasted and minced
1/2 cup cachucha peppers, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup scallions, white and green parts
1/4 cup red onion, minced
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
4 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
6 ounces light olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper

4 dozen clams, scrubbed
8 ounces bacon, finely diced

To make mojo, mix all ingredients together in a bowl and slightly chill before serving.

Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Place bacon in a saucepan over grill and cook until crisp. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate lined with a paper towel. Discard bacon fat.

Next, arrange clams directly over the grate of the grill and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until shells open. Transfer clams to serving plate and discard any clams that haven't opened. Spoon a teaspoon of mojo into shells and sprinkle with crisp bacon. Serve immediately.


courtesy of: Eric Weisstein