Clambake Food

GRILLED CLAMBAKE DINNER

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat.
• Melt the butter and seafood seasoning in a small saucepan over medium heat. Brush the baguette slices on both sides with 1 tablespoon of the butter mixture and place on a baking sheet. Brush the corn with 1 tablespoon of the melted butter and add to the baking sheet. Brush the kielbasa with 1 tablespoon butter and add to the same pan. Toss the shrimp with 2 tablespoons butter mixture then transfer to the pan. Reserve the remaining melted butter mixture.
• Cut three 22-inch long pieces of heavy-duty foil. Put two sheets on a work surface, one on top of the other so they form a cross. Place the potatoes in a 10-by-10-inch square in the center of the foil. Scatter the onions and clams over the potatoes and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
• Fold all four sides of the foil up towards the center to create a bowl, but do not seal it. Add the wine, lemon juice, garlic and the remaining 3 tablespoons of the melted butter mixture. Tightly seal the foil packet so no liquid can escape. Wrap the packet with the remaining piece of foil to make sure it is secure.
• Place the foil packet, corn and kielbasa on the grill and cook, flipping the corn and kielbasa as needed (do not flip the foil packet) until the corn is tender and charred in spots, the kielbasa is charred and heated through and the potatoes in the foil packet are tender and the clams have opened up, about 20 minutes. Remove the corn and sausage from the grill to a clean cutting board as they are ready. With 5 minutes of cooking time left, add the shrimp to the grill and cook, flipping once, until bright orange on the outside and white and opaque at the center, about 5 minutes. Grill the bread slices, flipping once, until toasted and charred on both sides, about 1 minute.
• Cut each ear of corn into 4 pieces and slice the kielbasa on a deep bias. Divide the shrimp, corn and kielbasa between 4 shallow bowls. Open the foil pack (watch out for hot steam) and divide the potatoes and clams between the bowls (discard any clams that do not open). Spoon some sauce into each bowl. Sprinkle with chives and Old Bay seasoning. Serve with a lemon wedge and grilled bread on the side.

GRILLED CLAMBAKE

Steps:

• Toss the basil, dill and chives in a small bowl. Whisk the mayonnaise with half the serrano, the lemon zest, lemon juice, 1 grated garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons water in a medium bowl. Stir in 2/3 cup of the herbs (set aside the rest for topping). Cover and refrigerate.
• Using kitchen shears, cut along the outer curve of the shrimp shells from the head end to 1/4 inch from the tail. Remove the top vein and rinse the shrimp under cold water (leave the shrimp in their shells). Transfer to a large bowl and add 6 cups cold water, 3 tablespoons salt and the sugar; stir. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour. Put the clams in a separate bowl, add enough cold water to cover and stir in 1/4 cup salt; cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Preheat a grill to medium high. Toss the potatoes with 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Place the potatoes in a single layer in the center of a large sheet of heavy-duty foil. Wrap and seal into a packet, then wrap in another piece of foil to cover the seam side. Grill, flipping, until the potatoes are charred and tender, about 20 minutes per side. Keep wrapped.
• Meanwhile, set aside a 4-inch piece of sausage for the clams. Grill the remaining sausage until charred, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Let cool, then cut into 3-inch pieces; cover to keep warm. Grill the corn, turning, until charred, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, then cut each ear in half crosswise. Drain the shrimp and grill in batches until lightly charred, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side. Toss the corn and shrimp with the melted butter and the remaining grated garlic clove. Cover and set aside.
• Drain and rinse the clams. Slice the reserved sausage 1/4 inch thick. Heat the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet on the grill. Add the sliced sausage and cook, tossing, until just starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the fennel, shallots and the remaining serrano and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the 4 sliced garlic cloves and the tomato paste and cook until the tomato paste turns brick red, about 1 minute. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the clams, cover and cook until all the clams have opened, 5 to 10 minutes. (Discard any unopened clams.)
• Combine the corn, shrimp, grilled sausage and potatoes on a large platter. Leave the clams in the skillet. Serve with lemon wedges, the reserved herbs and the herbed mayonnaise.

SEAFOOD CLAMBAKE

Steps:

• For the clambake: Preheat a grill or prepare coals in a fire pit with a grill grate to high heat. Combine 8 cups water and the House Seasoning in a large, deep roasting pan. Add the potatoes and sausage. Place on the grill grate, cover with foil and bring the water to a boil. Let boil 6 minutes. Add the corn, mussels, clams, lemons and onions. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Add the lobster tails and shrimp. Dot the top with the butter and pour the wine over the top. Cover and cook until the corn is tender and all the seafood is done, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce: Stir together the ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, lemon juice, garlic, vodka, hot sauce and celery seeds in a medium bowl. Serve the seafood clambake with the cocktail sauce and the white wine-butter pan sauce.
• Stir together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

CLAM BAKE

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in large pasta pot with a strainer and simmer until clams open and the corn is tender. Strain liquid and dump ingredients onto a large table for a great festive feast.

TRADITIONAL CLAMBAKE

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium-high (350 to 400 F).
• Combine butter, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, cayenne and thyme in small bowl: set aside.
• Line large bowl with 2 sheets of aluminum foil.
• Fill evenly with one-fourth of the shrimp, potatoes, corn, clams and sausage.
• Drizzle with butter mixture.
• Close foil packet by bringing corners together at tip and pressing together tightly to seal. Repeat to make 4 packets.
• Grill packets, covered, 20 to 25 minutes or until clams open and shrimp are opaque. To serve, place packets on large plates and open to vent.