This Spicy Clam and Kale Appetizer is rich in flavor, full of clams, garlic, green chile tomatoes and kale. It’s the perfect appetizer to share for two!
Who all loves Mystery Dish, raise your hand? IMO, Mystery Dish brings the greatest things.
I admit…this month’s list had me worried – they were a challenging list of ingredients! 🙂
Tell me – what recipe would you have made with this list?
Mystery Dish Ingredients – March
1. Clams
2. Ramen noodles
3. Blueberries
4. Heavy whipping cream
5. Chocolate chunks
6. Potato chips
7. Kale
8. Almond butter
9. Chiles
10. Orange juice
Some of these ingredients (hello, Kale!) I’d never experimented with in a recipe before.
But, you know that I’ve never been one to walk away from a challenge, so I did the only thing I could, I whipped out the apron and got to work. 🙂
As you know, I always fall on the side of savory – so I was nearly drawing a blank until I saw the chiles on the list…, then I knew I was home. The only thing that scared me was the Kale. I have never experimented with it before. This was going to be interesting.
Silly me! Kale isn’t so scary…I whipped up this amazing Spicy Clam and Kale Appetizer that is so rich, decadent and savory, and it is just perfect for sharing!
As it turns out, we absolutely LOVED it! The garlic, white wine, bacon and Rotel tomatoes with green chiles added just the perfect amount of heat.
And, we love to incorporate clams into our rotation, because they are so different than the standard issue surf and turf. And you all know how much I love my shrimpies, as evidenced by these recipes: Sriracha Buttered Shrimp, Spicy Red Curry Shrimp and Shrimp Avocado Tostadas. In fact, I have over 25 shrimp recipes on this blog! Shrimp, much? 🙂
So, to get to use clams is a real treat!
You’ll want to serve this with either a nice chewy/crispy baguette bread, or if you prefer, a soft/tearable loaf so that you can soak up the amazing juices. This is such a great dish for two – you’ll love it!
Check out what the other Mystery Dish gals made this month
Flourless Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Sandwich Cookies (Flavor The Moments) http://flavorthemoments.com/flourless-almond-butter-chocolate-chunk-sandwich-cookies
Blueberry Frozen Custard Pops (Simply Gloria) http://wp.me/p3aWu3-26g
Classy Ramen with Kale (The Pajama Chef) http://wp.me/pZi0C-1Gg
Potato Chip Chocolate Chunk Cookies (I Dig Pinterest) http://www.idigpinterest.com/2015/03/potato-chip-chocolate-chunk-cookies.html
Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Potato Chip Cookies (Chez CateyLou) http://wp.me/p4c8PI-1R4
Blueberry French Toast Casserole (Yummy Healthy Easy) http://www.yummyhealthyeasy.com/?p=7185
Enjoy!
Spicy Clam and Kale Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 pounds savory clams
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon crushed chile peppers
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup clam juice
- 3 to 4 slices bacon
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup kale chopped
- 1 10-ounce can Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles
marcie says
I love what you did with this dish! Hearty greens and spices are so great with clams and the bacon is the icing on the cake (or clam)! Great appetizer and pinned! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Marcie! It was really good – and I loved the kale in it. Who knew? Thanks for the pin darling!
Juliana says
These clams look so good Kristi….I love clams but my husband does not get close to it…so I just order when we are in restaurants…I love the touch of heat and the chopped kale…beautiful pictures…as always!
Hope you are enjoying your week 🙂
Kristi says
Thank you Juliana! Such a high compliment! I don’t have clams very often, but when I do, I absolutely love them, so I can see why you order them when you’re out.
ananda says
clams, yum!! spicy? OMG yum!! i honestly can eat this all day long kristi! and all the other related recipes are all my fave!! xoxo
Kristi says
Thank you Ananda! Clams are fun for a nice change! I hope you’re having a great weekend!
[email protected] Charm says
That sounds delish! Great job using those ingredients to make something savory. I read that list and other than clams, chiles and kale, it all looks like it would make a heck of a sweet dish.
Kristi says
That’s what I thought too Brenna. And, I love savory, so I’m glad I was able to get something savory in it!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
This is my kind of appetizer, Kristi! Rich and flavorful, but not heavy. Yum!
Kristi says
Thanks Marissa! I love appetizers – so much less heavy than dinner!
GiGi Eats says
OH YES this sounds scrumptious and unique too!!! I love clams and this sounds like an awesome way to get in some KALE!
Kristi says
Thanks Gigi! I hope you try it, I think you’ll love it!
Cate | Chez CateyLou says
I love Mystery Dish too – it really challenges me in the kitchen! You did amazing things with the list – this dish is gorgeous and sounds delicious! I’m so glad you discovered kale…it is one of my favorites!
Kristi says
Thanks Cate! Mystery Dish has totally opened my culinary mind to trying new things. 🙂 And, I was amazed at the cookies you came up with – they’re so creative! They sound amazing!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Oh my gosh, kale is my FAVORITE!! So glad you got to experiment with it! These clams look awesome and make me long for a beach vacation!! 🙂
Kristi says
YESSSSSsssss! I never thought of that – but they are perfect for a beach vacation!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
This is perfect. Love the spiciness and love the clams. Pinned
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Kathy! The spiciness adds great flavor to the clams. I hope you like it!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
Oh I love to be challenged with mystery ingredients to get me out of my comfort zone! Looks like you rocked this one. YUMMY!
Kristi says
Thanks Julie – that’s what I love about Mystery Dish. You just never know what you’re going to make! 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
I absolutely love shrimp or prawns as we call them so keep posting those shrimp recipes Kristi! For a minute I thought that you had to incorporate all of those ingredients in a dish and I was thinking “eeek!!” 😛 I like what you made much better 😀
Kristi says
Hahaha! I was thinking the same thing when I saw that list Lorraine. Thank goodness I was able to pull out a savory recipe that was amazing as an appetizer! xoxo
[email protected] says
Oh wow this looks amazing, I´m not joking, I could actually smell the clams through the screen! haha
Kristi says
I’m so glad you like it Johlene! You’d be so proud of me – I made a sweet recipe for Thursday’s post in honor of Easter. As I pressed the publish button on that sweet treat, I totally thought of you! xoxo
Kelly says
You did an awesome job with all the ingredients! I love ordering clams and mussels when we’re out but have never tried making any at home. I really love the kale and all the heat you added to these clams! They look perfect! I <3 this!
Kristi says
Thanks Kelly! I was really pleased with the dish – I was so worried about those ingredients, but they turned out lovely together! 🙂 So, I’m glad you liked it!
[email protected] Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Such a gorgeous and delicious combo of ingredients, Kristi! CONGRATS on finally getting on the kale bandwagon! Don’t you just love that green stuff?! 🙂
Kristi says
Yes, I did love it Sarah! I’m so surprised, and I can’t believe I waited that long. 🙂
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
I love this appetizer Kristi! Clams are one of my favorite things to indulge in if we’re out to eat, though that all needs to change with this fab recipe I can make at home. And geeeez that mystery list is all over the place!! You did such a great job! 🙂
Kristi says
Hahaha! I thought so too Alyssa, but all is well that ends well, and it makes me a better cook, yes? There’s nothing like a good challenge. 🙂 Thanks for the compliments on the challenge. You should join us – it’s fun!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
What?! How have I never heard of Mystery Dish before? I’m missing out. This sounds like so much fun – and this dish you created from it is incredible. Also – these photos are SO freaking pretty! I love the colors and composition!
Kristi says
Thanks Sarah! You should totally join the Mystery Dish gals. I love doing it, and it’s fun trying to come up with new recipes! 🙂