Best Baked Clams

By CarolM-2

Fabulous!!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Tbsp. minced onion
• 2 Tbsp. flour
• 3 cans chopped or minced clams--do not drain.
• 1/2 cup clam juice
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 tsp. oregano
• 2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
• 3/4 about 3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 16 clean clam shells
• Paprika
• 2 slices uncooked bacon, cut into 16 pieces (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Heat the butter in a skillet and saute the onion until tender. Blend in the flour. Stir in the clam juice and cook until thick. Add the undrained clams,salt, pepper, oregano and parsley, blend well. Add enough bread crumbs to desired consistency; start with 1/2 cup bread crumbs and add more, a tablespoon at a time. The mixture should not be too thick or dry.
Spoon the mixture into shells and sprinkle with paprika. Top each with 1 piece of bacon. Bake about 10 minutes or until bubbly and bacon is cooked. If clam shells are unavailable, lightly grease an 8" pan. Spoon the mixture into the pan and smooth the surface. Arrange the bacon pieces evenly over the top and bake 10 or so minutes