newness.

Where have you been, lazy girl? Well, you see, I've started a new job. A real, hectic, business casual, backbreaking job. No more freelance, no more couple hours here and there. It's 9-5 (or 11-7), it's serious stuff and it's CRAZY. I'm still seeing my private clients on the weekends, though, if you're interested in being one!

A busy lady requires an easy of easiest dinner party dishes. One of the best parts of living so close to the beach (okay, it's over an hour from the city) is access to some of the yummiest and cheapest seafood. Husband and I have an almost weekly ritual of sitting in front of our netflix with a big bowl of fresh steamed long island littlenecks and a loaf of crusty bread for dipping. I knew this was one of my sister's favorite meals as well, so I decided to jazz it up for her last night.

How do you make juicy, sweet fresh littlenecks even more delicious? Bacon, of course.

Steamed Littlenecks with Shallots, Garlic and Bacon

3 dozen fresh, live littleneck clams
1 small hunk of slab bacon, cut into lardons (or 4-5 strips if you don't have it like that with your butcher)
4 medium shallots, sliced
5-6 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 cup white wine (anything dry)

1. Scrub and rinse all of your clams, set aside in the sink.
2. In a large dutch oven or any big pot with a lid, render your bacon for about 5-6 minutes, until it's given off a fair amount of fat and is a bit crispy. Remove bacon from pan and leave in about two tablespoons of fat.
3. Saute shallots and garlic on low for about 10 minutes, until they're golden and caramel-y. Turn heat back up to medium high.
4. Add in clams and wine, close the lid.
5. Peak in about 7-8 minutes, give a stir. Pick out any opened clams, if some are slightly open stir to make sure they pop open for you. Any clams that stay shut should be discarded.
6. Once all clams have been removed, crank up the heat and reduce liquid for about 5-6 minutes, just to cook off any strong alcohol tastes. Pour over clams.
7. Garnish with crispy bacon and parsley if you have it.

Duuuuunk! This juice is seriously the nectar of the gods. I have to say this dish is a little over indulgent for me, as a rule, I don't usually like to feel like whatever I just ate and I definitely was feeling a little bacon-y after this meal. However, company was in love and husband looked like he was about to leave me for the bowl. Enjoy!