Malaysian Black Pepper Clams

Total Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 2 1/2 lbs manila clams
• 1/4 cup grated coconut palm sugar or 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 1 1/2 lime, juice of
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• fresh ginger, peeled and minced
• 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 10 fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh thai basil or 1/4 cup regular basil leaves
• sourdough bread, sliced 1 inch thick and toasted, for serving (optional)
• extra virgin olive oil, for serving (optional)
• lime wedge, for serving

Recipe

• 1 put the clams in a large bowl and rinse them under cold running water for 5 to 10 minutes to purge them of all sand and grit. drain.
• 2 in a small bowl, combine the coconut palm sugar, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice.
• 3 heat the canola oil in a large sauté pan or skillet set over high heat. add the garlic and ginger and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, to release the flavors, but do not let the garlic brown. add the black pepper and the clams. add 1/3 cup water, cover immediately, and steam the clams for 3 to 4 minutes or until they open. remove any that do not open. add the oyster sauce mixture and stir well. add the butter, stir well, and pour the clams into a large bowl.
• 4 sprinkle the mint, cilantro, and thai basil over the clams. serve with the toasted bread, brushed with the olive oil, if desired, and wedges of fresh lime.