1. Remove the clams from their packaging. Discard any clams with broken shells, shells that have opened, or whose shells do not close when tapped. Scrub the clams well with a stiff brush (a vegetable brush is good). Although these are hard shelled clams, you may want to soak in salted water to remove excess sand and grit, using kosher or sea salt for 2 to 3 hours before cooking: 1/3 cup salt to 16 cups water is a good ratio.
2. Mash the rinsed fermented black beans with the back of a cleaver or wooden spoon. Stir in chili paste if using.
3. In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients (chicken broth or stock, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and Asian sesame oil).
4. Heat oil in a preheated wok over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the ginger, garlic, and Chinese leek if using. Stir for about 10 seconds, then add the black beans and stir for about 15 seconds.
5. Add the clams. Stir-fry for 1 - 2 minutes, splashing with the rice wine. You may start to hear popping sounds as the clams open. Add the broth. Turn the heat down, cover, and simmer for about 5 minutes until all the clams have opened. Stir in the green onion.
6. Remove the clams from the wok to a platter, discarding any that did not open. Pour the sauce over the clams. (If you like, before pouring you can thicken the sauce with a mixture of 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1/4 cup water: add the cornstarch/water mixture to the sauce, turn the heat back up and heat the sauce to boiling, stirring quickly until it is thickened). Serve the clams immediately with noodles or rice.
More Chinese Seafood Recipes
Main Chinese Food Recipe File
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