December 12, 2025

Raw Clams

Figured I’d go buy some fresh littlenecks this afternoon to have a bit of an appetizer of Clams on the Half Shell with Fresh Mayonnaise. Earlier in the day, though, I broke out the stick blender and some avocado oil to make some homemade mayo using a recipe I found online. It was super easy and the mayo is delicious.

Then it was time to get into the clams.

I tried using my oyster knife and then a butter knife but both were way too big to get into the shell. So, instead I used an old paring knife while wearing an anti-cut glove.

This was the way, and soon I had about a dozen clams open.

To accompany them, I took the mayo from earlier and divided it up. One third was the original mayo. Another third I added a finely minced garlic clove, some pepper, and a bit more lemon juice to make an aioli. The last third I mixed in some Sambal Olek to make a spicy mayo.

All in all, the clams were fine. We absolutely love oysters on the half shell, but clams on the half shell are simply OK. The mayos as an accoutrement is an amazing idea. Can’t wait to try the spicy mayo on some oysters.

Clams on the Half Shell with Fresh Mayonnaise

• Crowd: 3/5
• Ease: 4/5
• Made fresh mayo with avocado oil and a stick blender