Clam cocktails that can really set the mood

When you're trying to get back into the dating scene after a long-term relationship or simply to stave off loneliness, it's always important to have a bottle of red wine on hand for a romantic night in.  But what if you really want to impress your companion with your creativity, and also enjoy a good clam-based drink yourself?  Have I got some recipes for you.

Red Sky At Night

3oz Clamato juice
1oz White Rum

A personal favourite of mine, this can be served together as a single beverage or with the rum on the side, so as to not adulterate the Clamato.  Pair with cocktail onions or even clams on the half-shell, and don't forget to learn a few nautical adages to keep the conversation fresh!

Siberian Clams

Vodka

Clams (small; any sort)

Intense and unforgettable, these should be served in shot glasses alongside savoury appetizers.  Place the meat of the clam in a size-appropriate shot glass, fill the rest with vodka, then let sit for 10-15 minutes to let the spirit fully permeate.  Best slurped down in a single gulp!

Mollusco Italiano

Red wine (dry)

Clams (any sort)

Black olives

Not for the faint of heart -- mash up the clams in a bowl and add wine, constantly stirring until the mixture has the consistency of cottage cheese.  Spread on a firm cracker and dot with olives to taste.  A great option if your date has a fondness for Europe.

Clam + Porter Sauce

Clams

Beer (Porter or Stout)

Not a cocktail as such, but simmering premium clams in a good dark beer will create a smoky companion to pasta.  Add a little Worcestershire to really underline the saltiness, but don't go overboard depending on what you're planning for dessert.

Frozen Blended Clamato

5oz extra spicy Clamato juice

Ice cubes (half a handful)

1 stick of mozzarella cheese

3 sweet gherkins

Summer may be over, but if things get a little hot between you and your romantic prospect, you can always cool off with one of these.  Blend the ice, gherkins and Clamato together until smooth and serve in a short glass with the stick of mozzarella. I prefer the mild cheese to offset the rich, rich Clamato taste, but you may choose a sharper cheese if your partner is no stranger to flavour.

These should get you started -- and while your culinary prowess could be a major factor in whether your relationship flourishes or ultimately dies, remember that presentation is everything, and that a little olive oil goes a long way.  Most importantly?  Just don't clam up!  :)

Study shows how giant clams harvest the sun!

Once again, our amazing, delicious friends are proving that they 'shine' brightest of all in the underwater ecosystem:

"Many mollusks, like squid, octopuses, snails and cuttlefish," Sweeney said, "have iridescent structures, but almost all use them for camouflage or for signaling to mates. We knew giant clams weren't doing either of those things, so we wanted to know what they were using them for."

Just enough to whet my interest (and my appetite!)

"We see that, at any vertical position within the clam tissue, the light comes in at just about the highest rate at which these algae can make use of photons most efficiently," Sweeney said. "The entire system is scaled so the algae absorb light exactly at the rate where they are happiest."

Could photovoltaic cells use this technology to increase efficiency?  Read more clam news here: http://phys.org/news/2014-10-giant-clams-harness-sun.html