Merill's Baked Clam Dip Oreganata

Oolala's Note:

This is my sister in law's recipe. It's like a clam pie or a giant baked clam served warm with crackers (I like Ritz for this). It could be prepared, up until the baking, a day in advance. Just put it in the refrigerator and bake when ready the next day! If you make it and freeze it for the future, just thaw and reheat. This is a family favorite and a crowd pleaser when I make it for guests - Enjoy! PS-I like it with 2 cans of chopped clams too! You get bigger clam pieces that way.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8-10

Yield: 1.0 pie

• 2 (6 1/2 ounce) cans minced clams, don't drain juice
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, Italian style
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• paprika, sprinkled on top, for color (optional)

Directions:

1. If serving the same day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium size skillet, saute the butter, onion and garlic over low heat a minute or two, being careful not to let the garlic brown.
3. Add the clams with their juice, parsley flakes and oregano to the pan and mix.
4. Saute for a few minutes and then add the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
5. The texture should be like a paste.
6. If not, adjust by adding bread crumbs.
7. Put mixture in an oven proof pie dish and add paprika sprinkled on top.
8. Bake in 350 degree oven, for 25 to 30 minutes, until slightly golden and bubbly.
9. Serve warm with crackers.

Reviews

[BethH]

I was hungry for clam dip but didn't have any cream cheese. This was a very different dip with the breadcrumbs as the base! I'll bet it would be a great stuffing for mushrooms. Yummy, thanks!

[Cooking Criolla]

I made this for an impromtu get together with some friends. It was a hit. Everyone loved it. I would try a few things differently next time, maybe a little less butter, a little lemon juice, some tabasco sauce and possibly some minced green peppers. This one is a keeper.

[Bari]

This tastes great! I haven't made it yet but I definitely will soon. Thanks :)