White Wine Steamed Clams with Spicy Sausage and Blue Cheese

We were walking through Costco on Sunday all set to buy some salmon to grill on a cedar plank when we saw the fresh clams on display.  We changed our dinner plan on the spot.  This dish can be done with a mixture of clams and mussels or one or the other.

Ingredients:

• 5 pounds clams, mussels or combo of both
• 4 spicy sausages such as Aidells
• 1 cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1 sourdough baguette
• olive oil
• garlic powder

1. Thoroughly rinse clams
2. Slice baguette into 4 sections and then slice lenghtwise so you have 8 large pieces of bread 
3. Slice sausages in half lenghtwise and grill on high heat for 3 to 5 minutes on each side.
4. Slice grilled sausages on the bias into bite size chunks.  Set aside.
5. In a large pan with a lid (a saute pan, pot, or dutch oven will all due it just must have a lid) combine chicken broth, white wine, garlic, and capers.  Simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid has reduced by about a third. 
6. Add butter and sausage.  Season broth with salt and pepper to taste.  Go easy on the salt as adding the blue cheese later will also add some saltiness.
7. Bring broth to a slow boil
8. Brush baguette slices with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder.  Grill on medium heat until golden brown. 
9. Add clams to the broth and cover until clams have just opened.
10. Spoon clams into a serving dish or bowl and pour the broth over the top.  Sprinkle on the blue cheese.

Serve family style and don't forget to dip the baguette in the broth! 
Our Perfect Pairing- We found this dish paired best with a Medocindo style Sauvignon Blanc.