Gluten Free Clams and Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Gluten Free Clams and Mashed Potatoes Recipe

I recently went back home to Los Gatos, California and was sad to see that one of my favorite restaurants had closed. It was called Café Marcella and it was one of those places with great food, an extensive wine list, and the perfect combination of hip and fabulous mixed with a comfortable, neighborhood-like vibe.

One item on the menu that intrigued me for years was an appetizer of steamed clams and mashed potatoes. I would look at it every time I was in there but couldn’t quite decide if it would be gross or amazing.

On one blustery evening I arrived cold, wet and feeling emotionally drained, desperately in need of comfort food. The pasta dishes were calling my name but a gluten reaction was the last thing I needed. I took a leap of faith and ordered the clams and mashed potatoes. It was just the thing to warm my body and soul. It became my favorite item on the menu.

The fluffy potatoes were the perfect gluten-free vehicle for the buttery, winey sauce and complemented the tangy, sweet clams. It was pure comfort in a bowl.

Alas, I never asked for the recipe so I came up with my own Gluten Free Clams and Mashed Potatoes Recipe.

5 from 1 vote
Gluten Free Clams and Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Print Recipe

Gluten Free Clams and Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time35 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 411kcal
Author: Gluten Free & More

Ingredients

Potatoes

  • 6 large baking potatoes – peeled and cut into cubes
  • Sea or kosher salt
  • ½ cup hot milk
  • ½ stick butter
  • Splash heavy cream or half-and-half – optional

Clams

  • 6 dozen clams
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter – use divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small shallot - minced
  • 3 cloves garlic – minced
  • 1 bottle dry white wine

Optional Garnishes

  • 1 bunch Italian parsley - finely chopped
  • Zest of 1 large lemon – grated
  • Freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

Potatoes

  • Put potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Add plenty of salt (a big palm full; you'll want the water to be a bit salty). Cover pot and bring to a boil. Cook for 20 - 25 minutes or until the potatoes are very tender. Drain water and return pot to the burner and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or 2 to dry out the potatoes. Do this just until the pot stops steaming. This will give you nice, fluffy mashed potatoes.
  • Mash with about 1 teaspoon of salt with a potato masher or hand mixer on low – medium speed. Add hot milk and butter and whip with hand mixer on high until very smooth. Add heavy cream or half-and-half if using. Note that you may have to adjust the milk to get the potatoes to the desired consistency, so it is best to add a bit at a time until they are just the way you like them. You can keep the potatoes warm by putting them in a bowl over a big pot of simmering water while you prepare the clams.

Clams

  • Wash and scrub the clams.
  • In a large pot over medium heat melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the shallots and garlic and cook for about 3 or 4 minutes until they are translucent. Add the clams and pour over the bottle of wine. Turn heat up to high, cover the pot and bring to a boil. Steam clams for about 5 minutes or until the clams just open. With a slotted spoon remove the clams from the pot to a large bowl. Discard any that do not open. Cover with foil to keep warm.
  • Boil the wine mixture for about 4 or 5 minutes to reduce it a little. Whisk in the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter.
  • Divide the potatoes between six bowls or deep plates. Top each serving with clams. Ladle the sauce over each serving. Top with any or all garnishes and enjoy!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Gluten Free Clams and Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 411 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Cholesterol 32mg11%
Sodium 41mg2%
Potassium 1023mg29%
Carbohydrates 44g15%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 395IU8%
Vitamin C 13.2mg16%
Calcium 68mg7%
Iron 2.3mg13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owner’s. This blog accepts free manufacturers’ samples and forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. Affiliate links may be included in this post.

Disclaimer: All nutrition facts on Gluten Free & More are meant only as a guide and may differ depending on product brands used or ingredient substitutions. Some errors may occur, so you are encouraged to confirm the recipe’s ingredient and nutrition suitability for your own diet.
Have you tried this recipe? Give it a star rating and let us know your thoughts in the Ratings & Reviews section below.
Tags: Clams Mashed Potatoes Seafood Wine
0 shares
Previous Post

Gluten Free Roasted Red Pepper and Sun-Dried Tomato Dip Recipe

Next Post

Gluten Free Magic Bars Recipe

  1. Jennifer
    February 25, 2009

    My hubby loves clams and pasta so this is a great one to try-plus, I live so close to the ocean, finding fresh clams is not a problem.

  2. Alisa - Frugal Foodie
    February 25, 2009

    What a beautiful presentation and a nice break from pasta.

  3. • friedl •
    February 25, 2009

    Sounds delicious, and it looks very pretty on the picture !

  4. jill elise
    February 25, 2009

    Oh, this is a combo I’ve never thought of! Genius!

  5. H.Peter
    February 25, 2009

    Now THAT’S a cool version of a couple of outstanding foods.

    Pasta Vongole is my favorite when I visit Italy, but I love mashed potatoes! Gotta try it

  6. Peter M
    February 25, 2009

    Seafood and potatoes are wonderful together…Fred & Ginger, dancing on the plate! The photo is shot really well.

  7. Absolutely Not Martha
    February 26, 2009

    hi! just wanted to mention that I’m doing a post about favorite gluten free food products on absolutely not martha. I’d LOVE to hear what yours is–just leave me a comment (if you haven’t already).

  8. Absolutely Not Martha
    February 28, 2009

    thanks carol! i don’t think we’ve tried foods by george english muffins [yet].

  9. Helene
    March 1, 2009

    What a great meal. I love clams.

  10. Sue
    March 2, 2009

    I’ve never had clams with mashed potatoes. What a great idea. It looks yummy.

  11. Ali (Whole Life Nutrition)
    March 2, 2009

    Hmm, I am not much of a fan of clams, but your photo here is simply beautiful!

    -Ali :)

  12. White on Rice Couple
    March 3, 2009

    They need to move Los Gatos closer to LA so we can see you more often. You are the top of the list of people we want to be able to whisk away and travel with. As for this dish, looks seriously tasty. I've been craving clams lately & I like the mashed potato combo. As soon as Diane is back, we are going to make this. And toast to our favorite traveler. Todd.

  13. Meg
    September 15, 2017

    There’s a fabulous restaurant in Capitola where I live that serves an appetizer of clams and mashed potatoes, which I order every time I dine there and order as a main dish. Decided I wanted to try cooking it myself and found this recipe. I will be cooking this over the weekend. Thank you!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Gluten Free eBook Cover-Game-Day-Snacks

Enter your Email below to recieve a free Ebook

This will add you to our recipe of the week list as well!