Hold the clams in a cloth and insert a knife between the shells. Pry the shells apart, then sever the hinge muscle and discard the top shell. Loosen the muscle in the lower shell. Put clams on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate until topping is prepared.

Put the andouille in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Heat the vegetable oil in a small saute pan and, when hot, add the sausage. Cook, stirring frequently, until browned and the fat is rendered. Transfer to a mixing bowl and allow to cool.

In a small bowl combine the butter with the garlic, parsley, the Essence, lemon juice and cooled andouille. Stir to blend thoroughly, then transfer to plastic wrap or waxed paper and roll into a tight cylinder about 1-inch in diameter. Refrigerate until firm.

Heat the broiler.

Remove the clams from the refrigerator and remove the plastic wrap. Top each clam with a pat of the garlic butter, then divide the bread crumbs evenly among the clams. Top each clam with 1 piece of the bacon and broil until the bacon is crispy and the clams are cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes.

Remove from the oven. Arrange the clams on a platter and garnish with more parsley. Serve hot or warm.

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch

Published by William Morrow, 1993.