• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat clams and water in braising pan on HIGH, covered; steam 4-5 min, just until clams begin to open. Remove from heat; discard any clams that did not open. Strain clams into a bowl, reserving liquid. Set aside.

• Step 2

  Add bacon and shallot to braising pan on MED-HIGH. Cook, stirring, about 5 min, until bacon is crispy. Reduce heat to MED. Add peppers. Cook, stirring, 4 min, until peppers soften. Stir in butter and lemon juice. Season with pepper. Stir in 3/4 cup strained liquid. Fold in panko. Set aside, allowing panko to soften.

• Step 3

  Gently remove upper clam shell and loosen clam meat on bottom; place on baking sheet. Stuff shells with enough bacon-pepper mixture to fully cover clam meat; sprinkle with cheese.

• Step 4

  Bake on top rack of oven about 10 min, or until cheese melts. Remove from oven; garnish with parsley. Serve warm.

Freeze bacon for 15-30 min before dicing.

Note: When servings & ingredients are modified, nutrition & directions may vary.