Clam Fritters

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup(s) canola or corn oil
• 1 pint(s) clams
• 1 egg, beaten
• About 1/2 cup(s) flour
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
• Softened butter, cream cheese, or sour cream flavored with chives

Preparation

1. 1. Drain clams, reserving the juice. Chop clams by hand or preferably in a blender. Drain clams again, reserving any juice.
2. 2. Stir together the egg, salt and pepper. Add as much flour as needed to hold the mixture together. If needed, use a little reserved clam juice to thin the batter. Stir in clams.
3. 3. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan. When hot, drop batter by large spoonfuls to form 2- to 3-inch circles. (Don't crowd the pan; plan to cook fritters in several batches, adding a littler more oil to the pan as needed.)
4. 4. Flip fritters as soon as the bottom sides begin to turn a golden color, and brown the other side.
5. 5. Serve with softened butter or herb-flavored cream cheese.