Steamed Clams With Fresh Mint Food

STEAMED CLAMS

Steps:

• Wash the clams thoroughly and remove any blemishes. They should have no odor. Heat oil in a large saucepan (with a cover) over medium heat and cook garlic and onion until translucent. Add the wine and let cook for a couple of minutes to combine the flavors. Add the clams and clam juice (or water) and cover the pan for about 10 minutes until the clams open. Discard any clams that do not open and remove clams to serving bowls. Season the juices in the pan with salt and pepper to make a sauce. Pour the sauce and melted butter over the clams.

BEER-STEAMED CLAMS

Steps:

• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan. Pour beer in and fill to 1 to 2 inches below the bottom of the steamer. Add clams to the steamer insert, cover, and bring to a boil.
• Steam until the top clams barely open, 3 to 5 minutes; do not overcook or clams will become tough and rubbery.
• While clams are steaming, melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add parsley and garlic and saute until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.

STEAMED MAINE CLAMS

Steps:

• In a large container place the gallon of water and salt.
• Put clams into his container and sprinkle cornmeal over it; place in refrigerator and let sit for about 20 minutes.
• Drain.
• With a stiff brush, scrub and clean the clams with cold water to get the grit off before cooking.
• Put about 1/2"-1" of water in the bottom of a clam steamer or other pot; bring to boiling.
• Place the clams on steamer rack over the water.
• Cover and steam for about 5-10 minutes only till shells open; don't overcook.
• Discard any clams that don't open.
• Dunk in butter.

STEAMED CLAMS WITH SHERRY, GARLIC & HERBS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add garlic, shallot and herbs and saute 2 minutes.
• Add clams, dry Sherry and bottled clam juice.
• Cover and cook until clams open, about 5 minutes- discard any clams that do not open.
• Add butter to saucepan and stir until melted.
• Using tongs, divide clams among 4 soup bowls.
• Ladle broth over the clams and sprinkle with green onions.
• Serve with bread.

STEAMED CLAMS WITH SMOKY HARISSA-CUMIN TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the leeks and garlic. Season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking apart the garlic with a wooden spoon, until the leeks soften, 3 to 4 minutes-don't let the garlic or the leeks char. Add the cumin seeds and cook, stirring, for a little less than a minute, just to toast. Stir in the harissa and lemon zest, then add the crushed tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Turn the heat up to high, bring to a boil and let boil just until the sauce thickens and reduces slightly, a minute or two. Add the clams, cover and let steam until most of the clams are opened up, 5 to 8 minutes (the stragglers will open in the residual heat). Discard any clams that are still sealed shut.
• Toast bread, if desired, to serve alongside. Top the clams with cilantro.

GARLIC-STEAMED CLAMS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add garlic and bouillon; saute for 5 minutes. Increase heat and add water and wine.
• Add clams and cover with a glass lid. Steam until clams open, shaking to pot gently to redistribute the clams, about 6 minutes; do not open the lid.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove clams to a serving bowl; discard any that did not open.
• Add parsley, salt, and pepper to the broth. Pour broth over the clams and serve.