Name: Steamed Clams with Spicy Sausage and Tomatoes
Yield: Makes 6 (first-course) servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound hot Italian sausages, casings removed; 1/2 cup chopped shallots; 4 garlic cloves, chopped; 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper; 1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice; 1 cup canned low-salt chicken broth; 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 4 pounds littleneck clams (about 3 dozen), scrubbed; 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

"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.

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