Steamers in Red Chile Pesto Broth

Ingredients

• 2 cups dry white wine
• 1 1/2 pounds steamers, scrubbed
• Red Chile Pesto, recipe follows
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

Heat grill to high.

Place a large kettle on the grill, add wine and bring to a boil. Add the steamers, cover and steam until opened, discarding any that do not open. Remove steamers to a large bowl with a slotted spoon.

Bring liquid back to a boil and reduce by half. Whisk in the red chile pesto and honey. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the cilantro. Pour the mixture over the steamers and serve immediately.

Red Chile Pesto:

• 2 ancho chile pods
• 2 New Mexico chile pods
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Place chiles in a bowl and cover with boiling water; let sit until soft, at least 30 minutes.

Remove the chiles from the liquid, reserving the liquid, and coarsely chop. Place the chiles in the bowl of a food processor along with 1/4 cup of the soaking liquid, honey, cilantro, garlic and pine nuts and process until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil until emulsified; season with salt and pepper.