Amêijoas na Cataplana (Clams with Chouriço and Cured Ham)
In short: Small clams steamed with chouriço, cured ham, tomato, peppers and white wine in a sealed pot, finished with fresh coriander. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 290 kcal
Amêijoas na cataplana is a specialty of the Algarve, where a clamshell-shaped copper pot called a cataplana seals in the steam. Small clams open over a base of onion, pepper, tomato, chouriço and cured ham, and their briny juice blends with white wine. A home cook with a lidded pot gets the same result. Bring the pot to the table and serve it with crusty bread for the juices.
Instructions
- Soak the clams in cold salted water for 20 minutes so they release their sand. Drain and rinse, and discard any that stay open when tapped.
- Heat the olive oil in a wide pot with a tight lid. Cook the onion and pepper for 6 minutes until soft, then add the chouriço and ham for 3 minutes until the fat runs.
- Stir in the garlic and paprika for 30 seconds, then add the tomatoes, wine and bay leaves. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the clams, cover tightly and cook over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, shaking the pot once or twice, until the shells open.
- Discard any clams that stay shut and remove the bay leaves. Stir in most of the coriander.
- Serve straight from the pot, scattered with the remaining coriander and with lemon wedges on the side.
Tips
- Discard any clam that will not close when tapped before cooking, and any that does not open afterward. A fresh clam smells of the sea.
- No cataplana? Use a wide pot with a tight-fitting lid, and shake it gently halfway through cooking.
Questions and answers
What is a cataplana?
It is a hinged, clamshell-shaped pot, usually copper or stainless steel, that seals tightly so food cooks in its own steam. A heavy pot with a tight lid does the same job.
Can I use mussels instead of clams?
Yes, mussels work with the same method. Cook them for 4 to 5 minutes until they open, and discard any that stay shut.
What do you serve with clams in cataplana?
Crusty bread for the juices, plus boiled potatoes or rice and a chilled white wine. The sauce is the best part, so have something ready to soak it up.
How long does it take to make Amêijoas na Cataplana (Clams with Chouriço and Cured Ham)?
About 50 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Amêijoas na Cataplana (Clams with Chouriço and Cured Ham)?
About 290 kcal per serving, with 18 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 290 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
