Steamer Clams in Beer and Garlic

Ingredients

• 1 (12 ounce) bottle beer, allowed to go flat

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 4 garlic cloves, halved
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 fresh parsley sprigs
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 50-60 steamer clams, in the shell well scrubbed
• melted butter, for dipping

Directions

1. 1

   In a big saucepan, combine the beer, broth, garlic, bay leaf, parsley, and salt/pepper.

2. 2

   Bring to a boil; decrease heat to medium; simmer 5 minutes to blend flavors.

3. 3

   Add clams; cover and simmer 4-5 minutes until clam shells open.

4. 4

   Remove bay leaf and discard; remove any clams that did not open and discard.

5. 5

   Place clams in 4 large individual bowls and ladle some of the liquid from the saucepan over the clams.

6. 6

   Serve with individual bowls of melted butter for dipping; serve immediately.