Maryland Clams Casino will be a hit at the next dinner party or just a great start to your next romantic meal.

Recipe Ingredients:

6 ounces of clams, minced

1/2 lemon, juiced

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1/2 green pepper, finely chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 cup butter

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon parsley flakes

1 teaspoon hot sauce

1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

6 slices smoked gouda cheese

1/2 cup parmesian cheese, grated

In a medim saucepan simmer clams in lemon juice for 10 minutes. Then add onion, pepper, garlic and butter in saucepan and saute until tender. Add in oregano, parsley flakes and hot sauce. Slowly add bread crumbs until desired consistancy. Spoon mixture into 1 quart casserole pan and sprinkle parmesian cheese over op. Cover with sliced smoked gouda  and bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until bubbly.

Clams casino is a classic and this Maryland Clams Casino recipe adds a little zest.

Ingredients:

12 clams in shell

Worcestershire sauce

Hot sauce

3 sstrips bacon, partially cooked

seasoned bread crumbs

Open clam shells allowing clams to stay in one half of shell. Arrange clams in a single layer on a baking pan. On each clam put 3 drops of Worcestershire sauce and 3 drops of hot sauce. Add bacon and bread crumbs to each clam.

Broil 4 inches from flame for 3-4 minutes or until clam edges begin to curl and bacon is done.

Makes 12 appetizers