Ingredients

1 baguette, crusts removed and insides cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 4 cups)

1/4 pound chorizo, chopped into 1/4-inch dice

10 quahogs (about 5 pounds)

1/3 cup olive oil

10 garlic cloves, chopped (about 1/4 cup)

2 onions, finely chopped (about 3 cups)

1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Preparation

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place cubed bread on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast until dry, about 15 minutes. Set aside.

In a saute pan set over medium-high heat, cook chorizo, stirring occasionally, until fat is rendered and chorizo is lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove chorizo from fat, and transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Blot dry, and set aside.

Under running water, scrub clams clean. Place in a large stockpot, and add 2/3 cup water. Cover pot, and place over high heat. Steam until all clams have opened, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove clams from pot, discarding any that do not open; strain broth through a paper-towel-lined fine strainer; set aside.

Remove meat from shells. Chop into 1/4-inch pieces; set aside. Separate shells into halves; clean them thoroughly by boiling in a large pot of water for 5 minutes. Remove shells from pot; let cool.

In a large saute pan set over medium heat, warm olive oil. Cook garlic, onions, and red-pepper flakes, stirring, until onions are soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.

In a large mixing bowl, beat 1 cup reserved clam broth into eggs. Add onion mixture, clams, chorizo, and herbs; toss well. Add bread cubes. Fold together until just mixed. Season with pepper.

Heat grill. Fill each clam shell with stuffing, about 1/4 to 1/3 cup filling per shell. Dot top of each filled shell with butter. Place quahogs, stuffing side up, on grill; cook, covered, for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate; serve warm.