Seafood Clambake

STOVETOP CLAMBAKE

Steps:

• Combine onions, garlic, pale ale, and water in a 16-quart stockpot. Cover with a layer of seaweed (or place a steamer basket on top of onions). Add potatoes, chorizo, and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil. Add lobsters; cook over high heat, covered, for 15 minutes. Add clams and corn; cook, covered, for 6 minutes. Add mussels and shrimp; cook, covered, until clams and mussels open and shrimp are cooked through, 4 to 8 minutes.
• Remove seafood, corn, potatoes, and chorizo using tongs, and transfer to large platters or rimmed baking sheets. Discard seaweed and any unopened clams and mussels. Strain liquid through a sieve into a bowl; add butter, swirling to melt. Squeeze lemons over clambake.

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.

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.

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 a potatoes in a layer in the bottom of a large pot. Cover with a layer of clams, then mussels, and finally the shrimp. Pour in the vermouth and enough chicken broth to fill the pot halfway. You may not need all of the broth, depending on the size of your pot. Cut a half cup of the butter into cubes and place on top of the seafood. Cover with a lid, and seal tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for 45 minutes. Remove from the heat, and carefully remove the foil and lid. Remove the seafood and potatoes from the liquid and serve on a large platter, family-style.
• Melt 1/2 cup of reserved butter, and divide into 4 individual dishes for dipping. Serve with French bread and remaining softened butter for the bread.