BBQ Mexican Chocolate Clams with Spicy Cilantro Salsa
Experience a delightful fusion of flavors with our BBQ Mexican Chocolate Clams served alongside a vibrant spicy cilantro salsa and creamy refried beans. This crowd-pleaser dish features fresh ingredients and a touch of boldness that will elevate your next gathering or family dinner. The rich, succulent clams are grilled to perfection, while the homemade salsa provides a refreshing contrast, and the refried beans, cooked slowly with aromatic spices, tie everything together. Ideal for seafood lovers and perfect for sharing!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
mayonnaise
1 cup (none)
Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons (none)
fresh cilantro
1 bunch (chopped)
onion
1 (finely chopped)
jalapeno pepper
1 (seeded and chopped)
salt
to taste (none)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
tomatoes
4 (seeded and diced)
serrano chili
1 (seeded and diced)
onion
1 (diced)
lime
1 (zest and juice of)
fresh cilantro
1 handful (chopped)
olive oil
a touch (none)
lard (pork fat)
1/4 cup (none)
onion
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
chipotle pepper
1 (seeded and diced)
cooked black beans
about 3 cups (none)
Mexican chocolate clams
2 pounds / 1 kg (in shells)
lime wedges
for garnishing (none)
Instructions
1
Prepare the dressing by placing mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped cilantro, finely chopped onions, and jalapeno in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Set aside.
2
For the salsa, combine diced tomatoes, serrano chili, diced onions, lime zest, lime juice, chopped cilantro, and a drizzle of olive oil in a mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper. If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the salsa ingredients until finely chopped. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3
To make the refried beans, heat lard in a heavy frying pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until they soften and begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and diced chipotle pepper, and cook for another minute.
4
Add cooked black beans in batches, mashing each addition thoroughly before adding more. Carefully mash and fry the beans in the lard for enhanced flavor. Once fully mashed, add a bit of bean liquid or water to adjust the consistency to your liking. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm on low heat.
5
Before grilling the clams, scrub them under cool running water and discard any that do not close when tapped. Preheat the BBQ grill to a high temperature.
6
Place the cleaned clams on the grill and cover. Grill for 6 to 8 minutes until they pop open signaling they are ready to eat.
7
To serve, place the grilled clams on a platter accompanied by a generous spoonful of the creamy dressing, spicy salsa, and warm refried beans. Garnish with lime wedges for an added burst of flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are BBQ Mexican Chocolate Clams?
BBQ Mexican Chocolate Clams are a delightful fusion dish featuring fresh clams grilled to perfection and served with a vibrant spicy cilantro salsa and creamy refried beans.
How do I prepare the dressing for the clams?
The dressing is prepared by blending mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped cilantro, finely chopped onions, and jalapeno until smooth and creamy, then seasoning with salt and pepper.
What ingredients are in the spicy cilantro salsa?
The salsa consists of diced tomatoes, serrano chili, diced onions, lime zest, lime juice, chopped cilantro, olive oil, and salt and pepper.
How are the refried beans cooked?
Refried beans are made by sautéing onions in lard, adding garlic and chipotle pepper, and then mashing in cooked black beans in batches while frying them for enhanced flavor.
How should I clean the clams before grilling?
Scrub the clams under cool running water and discard any that do not close when tapped to ensure they are fresh and safe to eat.
What temperature should the BBQ grill be?
The BBQ grill should be preheated to a high temperature for grilling the clams.
How long do the clams need to grill?
The clams typically take between 6 to 8 minutes to grill until they pop open.
How do I know when the clams are ready?
The clams are ready to eat when they pop open signaling they have been cooked through.
Can I make the salsa smooth instead of chunky?
Yes, if you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend the salsa ingredients until they are finely chopped.
What type of fat is used for the refried beans?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of lard (pork fat) to provide an authentic and rich flavor to the refried beans.
What kind of beans are best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically uses 3 cups of cooked black beans for the refried bean side dish.
What garnish is recommended for this dish?
Serve the grilled clams with lime wedges for an added burst of fresh citrus flavor.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 20 ingredients total, including the clams, produce for the salsa, and the components for the dressing and beans.
What type of chili peppers are used?
This recipe uses three types of peppers: jalapeno for the dressing, serrano for the salsa, and chipotle for the beans.
Is this dish served as an appetizer or a main course?
This dish is versatile and can be served as either a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a main course.
How do I adjust the consistency of the refried beans?
You can add a bit of bean liquid or water after mashing the beans to adjust the consistency to your personal liking.
What is the preparation for the tomatoes in the salsa?
The tomatoes should be seeded and diced before being combined with the other salsa ingredients.
Does the dressing contain mustard?
Yes, the creamy dressing includes 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard for flavor.
How much Mexican chocolate clams do I need?
You will need approximately 2 pounds or 1 kg of Mexican chocolate clams in their shells.
Should I refrigerate the salsa?
Yes, it is recommended to refrigerate the salsa until you are ready to serve the meal.
What aromatics are used in the refried beans?
The beans are flavored with chopped onion, minced garlic cloves, and seeded chipotle pepper.
Is the jalapeno in the dressing seeded?
Yes, the recipe specifies using one seeded and chopped jalapeno pepper for the dressing.
Can I use fresh lime?
Absolutely, the recipe uses both the zest and the juice of one lime for the salsa.
How do I mash the beans?
Add the beans to the pan in batches, mashing each addition thoroughly before adding more to ensure a creamy texture.
Is there olive oil in this recipe?
Yes, a touch of olive oil is used when mixing the salsa ingredients.
What makes the clams 'chocolate' clams?
The name refers to the species of clam, which is known for its chocolate-brown shell color, rather than containing chocolate candy.
Should the grill be covered while cooking the clams?
Yes, the instructions state to place the cleaned clams on the grill and cover them while they cook.
How do I season the dressing?
Season the dressing with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste after blending the main ingredients.
What is the serving suggestion for this dish?
Serve the grilled clams on a platter with a spoonful of dressing, salsa, and warm refried beans on the side.
Is this a good recipe for sharing?
Yes, the description identifies this as a crowd-pleaser that is ideal for seafood lovers and perfect for sharing at gatherings.