Clams with Spicy Tomato Broth and Garlic Mayo

Ingredients

• 1/2 lemon
• 5 garlic cloves, 1 whole, 4 thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• Kosher salt
• 1/4 cup plus 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 red chile (such as Holland or Fresno), thinly sliced, or 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 36 littleneck clams, scrubbed
• 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 3 Tbsp. finely chopped chives
• 4 thick slices country-style bread

Directions

1. Prepare a grill for medium heat. Finely grate zest from lemon half into a small bowl, then squeeze in juice. Finely grate whole garlic clove into bowl and mix in mayonnaise. Season garlic mayo with salt and set aside.
2. Place a large cast-iron skillet on grill and heat 1/4 cup oil in skillet. Add sliced garlic, shallots, and chile and cook, stirring often, until just softened, about 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until paste darkens slightly, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and release their juices, about 4 minutes. Add wine and cook until it is almost reduced by half and no longer smells boozy, about 3 minutes.
3. Add clams and butter to skillet and cover (if you don’t have a lid that fits, use a sheet of foil). Cook until clams have opened, 6–10 minutes, depending on size of clams and heat level. Remove skillet from grill; discard any clams that don’t open. Sprinkle with chives.
4. Meanwhile, drizzle bread with remaining 3 Tbsp. oil and season lightly with salt. Grill until golden brown and crisp, about 3 minutes per side.
5. Serve clams with toasted bread and reserved garlic mayo.