1/4 lb (1 stick) butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium red pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
cayenne to taste
Tabasco sauce
black pepper to taste
1 can minced clams
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Italian bread crumbs
Cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese
paprika
In a large saucepan , cook together butter, garlic, onion, red pepper, and parsley until onion is just turning brown. Add oregano, cayenne to taste, a couple dashes of Tabasco sauce and black pepper to taste. Add 1 can minced clams, which you have gently simmered for 15 minutes with 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Add Italian bread crumbs to the consistency of oatmeal mush. Don't make it too thick because it loses some juiciness when baking. Put mixture in glass covered Pyrex baking dish. Slice Cheddar cheese on top of mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and paprika. Bake in 350 degree oven until brown and bubbly. Spread clam dip on Ritz crackers or your own crackers of choice.
