(Cockles & Mussels in Garlic Cream Dip)

1 jar (2½-oz size) cockles
1 jar (2¼-oz size) mussels
2 cups heavy cream
¼ cup (½ stick) butter
4 cloves garlic
1 dash hot sauce
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup finely chopped chives

Drain cockles and mussels and set aside; reserving juices. Pour heavy cream into a heavy skillet and bring to rapid boil, uncovered and stirring constantly, until thick and reduced by one half (15-20 minutes).

Remove pan from heat. Meal butter in saucepans and add garlic; simmer 3-4 minutes or until garlic is tender but not browned. Add reserved fish juices, hot sauce, salt and pepper.

Pour reduced cream into butter 1 tablespoonful at a time, stirring constantly. Gently fold in cockles and mussels and transfer to wide fondue pot or chafing dish. Sprinkle with chives. Serve warm over candle flame with toast or French bread dippers.

Yield: About 2 cups sauce.

Note: Cockles and mussels are available, canned, in appetizer or fish sections of many supermarkets; if unavailable, canned or smoke oysters or other shellfish may be substituted.