Pocho Clams

Ingredients

• 10 Tbsp. butter, softened
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. minced fresh chives
• 1 tsp. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
• 1 tsp. minced shallot
• Salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 8 slices (1"-thick) french bread
• 2 Tbsp. grated parmigiano-reggiano
• 1⁄2 lb. hot linguiça or other firm, spicy garlic sausage, cut on the bias into 1⁄2"-thick slices
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1⁄2 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1⁄4"-thick strips
• 1⁄2 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1⁄4"-thick strips
• 1⁄2 small white onion, thinly sliced
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1⁄2 tsp. red pepper flakes
• 3⁄4 cup bottled clam juice
• 1⁄3 cup white wine
• 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 3 lb. fresh manila clams (about 50)
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• 4 sprigs fresh cilantro