Littleneck Clams In Bay Butter With Baked Corn Polenta Food

STEAMED LITTLENECK CLAMS WITH SWEET CORN AND BASIL

Steps:

• Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.
• Add the celery, garlic, chorizo and crushed red pepper and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the clams and white wine, season with salt and pepper, cover and steam until the clams open, 3 to 6 minutes. Discard those that don't open.
• Stir in the butter, corn, parsley and basil. Transfer to large serving bowl. Serve with the bread.

CLAM, SWEET POTATO AND CORN BAKE

Steps:

• Set up your grill for even medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, distribute the coals evenly. If using a gas grill, heat both sides evenly.
• To a large mixing bowl, add the melted butter, seafood seasoning and chili flakes. Mix to combine. Add the potatoes and corn and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a steamer basket.
• To the bottom of a steam pot, add the chicken stock, beer, garlic, onions and a pinch of salt and black pepper and cover with a lid. Place the steamer basket onto the steam pot and place on the grill. Steam until the corn and potatoes are cooked three-quarters of the way through, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sear the chorizo on all sides until the skin is charred, 2 to 3 minutes per side, then add to the steamer basket. Cover with the lid and cook for 5 more minutes. Add the clams, cover and cook until the clams have steamed open, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Pour the clams, chorizo, potatoes and corn onto a paper-lined table. Garnish with lemon wedges. Strain the broth into a smaller pot. Whisk in the cubed butter and hot sauce. Pour into mugs and serve alongside the clam bake.

COD AND CORN WITH OLD-BAY BUTTER

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add clam juice and corn, and bring to a boil over high. Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook until corn is tender, about 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine butter, Old Bay, paprika and remaining 1 tablespoon oil; mix well.
• Season cod with salt and pepper, and add to pot. Cover and cook until cod is flaky and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in scallions and 1 tablespoon of the Old Bay butter; season with salt and pepper.
• Divide everything among four bowls. Garnish with more scallions and season with black pepper. Spread some Old Bay butter over warm crusty bread and serve alongside.

CREAMY CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• Bring the broth, 2 1/2 cups water, butter and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil in a heavy, large saucepan over high heat. Gradually whisk in the polenta. Continue to whisk until the polenta begins to thicken, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the polenta is very thick and tender, stirring often with a flat-bottom spoon or heatproof rubber spatula to prevent sticking or burning, about 20 minutes. Blend the corn in a mini processor until a coarse puree forms. Stir the corn puree into the polenta. Season with more salt if desired.

CLAMBAKE PACKETS

Steps:

• Divide shrimp, potatoes, clams, corn and sausage on 6 pieces of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with seafood seasoning. Top with lemon slices. Fold foil around mixture, sealing tightly., Grill, covered, over medium-high heat until clams open and vegetables are tender, 25-30 minutes. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape. Discard any unopened clams.

CORN POLENTA WITH BAKED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. In an ovenproof skillet over medium heat, melt butter. (If you like, you can let it bubble and turn brown, about 5 minutes.)
• Stir in the corn kernels (frozen, fresh, canned, or leave the corn out entirely). Let sizzle for a few minutes, then add broth, polenta and kosher salt. Whisk until the mixture bubbles and thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
• At this point, add a handful of chopped herbs and a couple of sliced scallions or a shallot, if using. Add the greens, if using. Stir in cheese, if using. Stir in sliced olives or roasted red peppers or marinated artichokes, if using.
• Cover the pan. (Aluminum foil or a pasta pot lid will work if you don't have a covered skillet.) Bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and give it all a good stir with a whisk. Cover once more, and bake for another 15 to 25 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the polenta is tender.
• Add eggs: Use a spoon to make 4 to 6 divots in the polenta, and crack an egg in each. Return the pan to the oven and bake uncovered for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the eggs are cooked to taste. You can run it under the broiler for a few seconds to set the jiggly whites, but it's risky because you might overcook the yolks.
• Crack lots of pepper on top, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and strew with herbs and maybe more cheese before serving. Serve alongside a green salad.

BAKED CLAMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place clams in a bucket of cold water with cornmeal and salt. Set aside.
• Place bread crumbs, Parmesan, lemon juice, zest, garlic, pesto, parsley, and olive oil in a bowl. Mix all of the ingredients together with half of the clarified butter. Mix together until moist but not too wet. Use additional butter only if needed.
• Open each clam and place mixture on top. Place in oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until golden brown.

LITTLENECK CLAMS IN BAY BUTTER WITH BAKED CORN POLENTA

Steps:

• Polenta: In a heavy medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil over high heat. Gradually whisk the cornmeal into the boiling water. Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until very thick and shiny, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the pepper, onion and garlic and cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. When the polenta is done, stir in cheese, sweated vegetables and thyme. Season with salt. Pour polenta into oiled 8X8 inch pan. Cover and refrigerate until very firm, about 2 hrs. Cut into squares. 20 minutes before serving, put the polenta squares in a 400 degree oven. Bake 15 minutes or until heated through. Bay Butter: Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit 15 minutes. Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs. Clams: Heat bay butter in a large saute pan. Add the clams, cover and let steam open. Add the tomatoes and corn kernals. Cook until just heated through. Put a polenta square on each plate. Distribute clams among the plates and pour the juices over the clams. Garnish with sprigs of thyme.