These clams in garlicky broth were named after Bulhão Pato, a 19th-century Portuguese poet. Although his verses have been largely forgotten, the dish remains popular throughout Lisbon. Serve it as the first course of an elegant meal or as the main course of a light lunch.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 6 first-course servings
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
48 small hard-shelled clams (5 pounds) such as littlenecks (less than 2 inches wide), scrubbed well
2 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro (about 1 large bunch)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Accompaniment: crusty bread
Preparation
Step 1
Bring water, wine, and oil to a boil in a 5- to 6-quart wide pot over moderately high heat. Add clams and boil, covered, 3 minutes. Sprinkle garlic, cilantro, and pepper over clams and boil, covered, until clams just open wide, 4 to 6 minutes. (Discard any clams that remain unopened after 9 minutes.)
Step 2
Gently stir clams, then spoon into large shallow soup bowls along with broth.
