By Mark and Lisa Tagal 

Manila Clams have an extensive range and can thrive in diverse habitats and salinities, from the equator to temperate waters. These hard-shelled burrowing clams have a meaty texture and a sweet taste, with an attractive shell. Because of their hardiness and ability to adapt to various growing environments, Manila clams are the perfect bivalve for ocean farming. They are the second most aquacultured bivalve in the world.

Manila clams have naturalized in the United States and can be found from SE Alaska to Northern California. In Washington’s Puget Sound, they are farmed and harvested to the tune of 4,500 metric tons each year. Manila clams are generally sold live. 

As the seasons change, a spicy dish with an Asian flair is offered: Manila clams with Lap Xuong sausage in a spicy black bean and chili sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1.5-2 pounds of live Manila clams
• 1 Lap Xuong or Chinese sausage
• 1 tablespoon of minced ginger
• 1 tablespoon crushed garlic
• 1 teaspoon of black bean paste
• 2-3 red chili peppers
• 2-3 sweet peppers
• ½ cup chopped green onion
• ½ cup chopped cilantro
• 1 lime
• ¼ cup mirin cooking wine
• Soy sauce to taste
• 2-3 tablespoons of sesame oil

Method:

• This dish is quite simple.  Chop up your ingredients beforehand and set to the side.  
• Put sesame oil in a deep pan and let it heat up. Add ingredients and saute for a few minutes until the oil becomes aromatic.  
• Add the clams and cover the pan. They should start to open up in 2-3 minutes.
• Add lime juice, mirin wine, and a dash of soy sauce. At this point, you should notice a fair amount of liquid as the clams open. If you want a thicker sauce, add a slurry of  ½ cups of water and two tablespoons of cornstarch. Stir until all the clams open.
• Serve on a bed of steamed rice.  

This dish is a feast for the senses. Visually, the greens of the vegetables, the reds of the sausage, and the golden hue of the Manila clams feed the eyes, while the tantalizing aromas of ginger, garlic, and soy sauce delight the nostrils. All of this invites you to taste this rich, savory clam dish. Donʻt keep clammed up about this recipe, and tell all your friends! Will this be your Perfect Bite?