Clam

From Il Pastaio, Beverly Hills, California.

Jalapeño and basil add zip to a classic dish.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Chilies add a southwestern twist to this traditional chowder.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Serve this appealing hors d'oeurve with cut-up fresh vegetables and breadsticks.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Serve this dish with French bread to get all the delicious sauce.

A fabulous all-in-one dish, similar to paella, from Lucques in Los Angeles.

"Can you obtain the recipe for littleneck clams from Antonio's Restaurant in New Bedford?" writes Michelle Dooley of Hanover, Massachusetts. "I read about the restaurant in your magazine, and now that I've been there, I'd like to try my hand at preparing this dish." Serve these clams with crusty bread and a salad to round out the meal.

It's best to shuck your own clams, but if you buy them on the half shell, be sure to ask for the clam liquor.

Food editor Melissa Roberts-Matar figured out what makes The Harrison's clams so special: the lightness of the coating. That's achieved by draining the buttermilk-soaked clams well and shaking off the excess coating after you dredge the clams. One restaurant touch that we loved was the delicious addition of fried thin lemon rounds and parsley sprigs; another was Joey Campanaro's accompanying Lemon Coriander Aïoli .

"I go to Spain frequently, and I've tried many kinds of paella there," says Bruce Cummings of Baltimore, Maryland. "Recently, though, I discovered an outstanding one right here in Baltimore, at Tio Pepe Restaurante."

"When I lived on Chesapeake Bay, I had access to the freshest seafood, and I still love cooking with it," writes Bobbi Claibourne of Tucson, Arizona. "Having promised to bring a dish to my in-laws' holiday dinner last year, I paired clams with sausage for this starter, which is now a new family favorite." Offer crusty bread with this to soak up some of the juices.

Laura Trevino of Washington, D.C., writes: "This hearty chowder is the perfect thing for a chilly evening. Serve it with dark beer and crusty bread or oyster crackers."

This impressive main course is ideal for a healthful dinner party. Serve it with crusty country style bread to soak up the flavorful juices.