Steamer Clams New England Style Food

STEAMER CLAMS, NEW ENGLAND STYLE

Steps:

• Soak the clams according to the directions listed in the tips below
• Add about 1-inch of water to the bottom of a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. Bring to a simmer, then add the clams. Cover the pot and steam until all of the shells have opened wide, about 10 to 12 minutes.
• While the clams are cooking, melt the butter and add the juice from half the lemon. Pour the butter into individual serving dishes and set aside. Cut the remaining half of the lemon into 4 wedges for serving.
• Once all the clams have opened fully, carefully scoop them into a bowl. Pour the broth into individual serving dishes for dipping.
• Note: You may want to strain the broth through cheesecloth if you see any sand accumulated in the bottom.
• To eat, remove the clam from the shell and strip the skin off the neck. Dip it first in the broth, then in the butter.

NEW ENGLAND STEAMED CLAMS

Steps:

• Rinse clams several times in cold, running water. Soak them in salted or seawater with a few handfuls of cornmeal for 15 minutes. Drain and rinse again.
• Fill a steamer with 1-inch cold water, celery and parsley and bring to a boil. Add clams all at once. Bring back to a boil, then cook for about 4 minutes, shaking the pot from time to time, until clams open. (If you wish, cook 3 to 4 minutes longer, to kill off harmful bacteria that may exist.)
• Remove steamers with a spider or a large slotted spoon to serving bowls. Open spigot of steamer and strain broth into small bowls for serving. If your steamer does not have a spigot, ladle broth into bowls, leaving behind any debris. Serve steamers immediately with broth and hot melted butter for dipping.

ONLY IN ESSEX STEAMER CLAM CAKES WITH TRADITIONAL NEW ENGLAND TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• For the Clams: Over medium heat in a large pan, pour 3 tablespoons olive oil. Chop onion into large chunks and saute in oil until lightly cooked, about 5 minutes. Add the beer and the clams. Cover and cook until all of the clams are opened, about 10 to 15 minutes depending on how many you have in the pan.
• Remove pan from heat, uncover and allow to cool to the touch before shucking.
• Push the clams to the side so that there is broth visible to rinse the clams in after shucking. Remove clams from shell 1 at a time and pull off membrane that covers the neck and discard. Rinse shucked clams in broth and set aside. When all clams are shucked, drain the broth out of them by giving them a slight squeeze over the pan of broth. Chop roughly and set aside.
• For the tartar sauce: Mix all ingredients in a small bowl to serve with clam cakes. Refrigerate until serving.
• For the clam cakes: In a deep-fryer or on the stove top in a deep skillet, preheat oil to 375 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Fold in eggs, evaporated milk and clam broth until thoroughly mixed. Stir in clams and mix well.
• Dip a spoon into the heated oil, then take a 2 tablespoon sized scoop of the fritter mixture and carefully drop into oil. Turn the cake over when the first side is browned. Fritters should be cooked through and browned in 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a skimmer and drain on brown paper bag. Reseason with additional salt, if desired. Serve with the tartar sauce and enjoy! If desired, serve on small plates with wedges of lemon.

HOW TO COOK AND EAT STEAMER CLAMS

Steps:

• Place steamer water in bowls for serving: Carefully remove the cooked clams from the pot, placing them in a serving bowl. Do not discard the clam broth left in the pot. Instead pour a bit of the hot broth into bowls for serving. Put the melted butter into small bowls for dipping.

NEW ENGLAND STEAMERS

Steps:

• Bring 2 1/2 cups water, 1/4 onion, 1 bay leaf, 1 quartered celery stalk and a few peppercorns to a boil in a large pot. Add 3 pounds scrubbed steamer clams; cover and cook until they open, about 10 minutes (discard any that do not open). Drain, then strain the liquid. To eat, remove the clams from their shells and rinse in the liquid. Dip in melted butter and serve with lemon wedges.