Clams with Bacon and Garlicky Spinach

Clams and bacon have quite an affinity for one another. Take time to get the bacon nice and crispy and the onions nice and brown (you’ll need a heavy-bottomed pan for this so they don’t burn). Their flavor will infuse the whole dish.

clams-with-bacon-and-spinach

1 pound spinach
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Juice of 1/2 lemon
4 slices bacon, sliced crosswise into slivers
1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1 cup white wine
3 pounds clams, scrubbed
freshly ground black pepper

Wilt the spinach in a wide, covered sauté pan over medium heat, for about 4 minutes, and pour off liquid. Remove spinach from pan, turn up heat and let any remaining liquid burn off. Swirl in 1 tablespoon olive oil and add the garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes, until golden. Add spinach back to pan and sauté for another 2 minutes, until completely wilted. Turn into a serving bowl and squeeze lemon juice over top. Remove spinach from pan; set aside.

Wipe out pan, reduce heat to medium and add bacon and onion. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until bacon is well-browned, about 10-12 minutes. Turn heat to medium-high, add thyme and white wine, and deglaze pan. Bring to a boil and let wine reduce to about half, about 4 minutes.

Add clams and reduce heat once again to medium. Cover and let simmer for 6-8 minutes, until clams are opened. Drizzle 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle black pepper over top.

To serve, place a bed of spinach in each of four wide bowls. Top with clams and broth.

Serves 4

 

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