Monday, June 8, 2009

Steamers

Summers on Cape Cod introduced me to that well known plate, the clambake, a feast that was a herald of the quintessential seashore summer. Platters, heaped high with just-off-the-boat lobster, freshly dug clams and mussels, farm fresh corn on the cob, potatoes, bowls of real butter and lemon wedges, steaming and smelling of the Atlantic Ocean, would be placed before you. Sweet abundance of the sea! You were probably given a plastic lobster bib and those little wet-dry towelette packets, because you are going to get buttery and juicy. This is a get-down-to-it with your fingers, lean-over-the-platter, catch-the-butter-and-meat-in-your-mouth-before-it-all slips-and-slides-away meal. This is a meal best shared with family and friends with whom you don't mind being seen at your messy best.

Begin by thoroughly rinsing the fresh steamers. Hold a steamer under fresh running water; most of the sand will wash out. Brush any loose sand that may be clinging to the shell. Discard any uncooked steamer whose shell is open (it's already dead and you don't want it!). I put them in a bowl with some fresh water, a little salt, and rinse an additional three or four times. Some folks add a tad of cornmeal, the idea being that the clams will eat it and then clean out their digestive system. I try not to think too much about that.

It's all so simple, you don't need a recipe. Allow about 1/2 cup of water for every 4 quarts of steamers. I use a steamer pot, the kind that has a separate insert that is made to steam foods. (When I didn't have a steamer pot, I used a large soup pot and a steel colander.) Add maybe a teaspoon of sea salt or kosher salt. Cover, bring the water to a boil. Add your corn if you're going to serve it, and let it steam for about 10-15 minutes. Add the raw clams on top, recover the pot, and allow to steam an additional ten minutes or so. It's okay to check off and on because once the clam shells are opened, they are done! Do not overcook or you will believe you are eating the tires off your car.

Folks add any number of things in with their steamers, kielbasa comes to mind. It's all good, but different foods take different lengths of time to cook or heat through, so you'll have to cook in layers, with the longest cooking item going in first.

If you're a true Cape Codder, you will reserve the broth (perhaps adding a bit of butter or lemon) to serve separately so that you can dunk thick hunks of crusty bread into it.

Remove the unappetizing skin covering its dark neck and any strands of seaweed that may still be clinging to the hinge or muscle. Dip in hot melted butter and enjoy fruta del mar, fruit of the sea!

24 comments:

  1. Very interesting, Katy. I've not ever had fresh clams as they are not something I can get here in my small Mo. town, but your picture is fabulous! This is a very appetizing plate!
    I don't want to think about the clams cleaning out their digestive systems, though. :)

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  2. My husband would be in heaven if I served this!

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  3. Katy,

    I really like this post! It is full of really interesting information. I like the cornmeal info. I am going to be like you and try not to think about that!! Thanks for sharing and it looks delicious.

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  4. I've only had fresh clams once, years ago, but you captured the essence of how good they are! Thanks, Kathye

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  5. This is one of the meals I can't resist. Yours looks so good.

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  6. Wow this sounds wonderful. I think you should have us all up to the Cape for clams...baked and steamed
    ;-)

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  7. I am not a clam person, although I have to admit I've never really given them a chance, but your photograph is BEAUTIFUL!

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  8. Now you are talking! Steamed clams & mussels are one of my favorite things - a little melted garlic butter to dip and it's heaven on a fork

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  9. I love clams, any way, shape or form. Yours look delicious

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  10. Due to my husband's seafood allergy, we NEVER eat seafood. I didn't think my kids cared that much, since they haven't had it much, but just this week while my husband is out of town my kids have started begging me to make them seafood! I'll have to see if I'm brave enough to try this--it sounds good!

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  11. This looks so good... it's one of those things that I am scared of making myself! :) You make it sound possible, though! I might need to get brave and give it a try!

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  12. These look delicious!! My hubby would be gobbling this up for sure!

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  13. Oh wow! Mouthwatering post! This is right up my alley. I've always wanted to go to a clambake. It all looks so good!

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  14. Awesome...Yes to the kielbasa and to the hunk of crusty bread for sopping up the goodness...oh goodness, you do NOT know how badly I'd love a big old platter of these right now! Right now. And it's past midnight ;)

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  15. Delicious! I hope to sample foods like this when we are in Cape Cod in July!

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  16. Oh I hope you do! Some of the best seafood is on the Cape! I miss the food there!! Try the Portuguese sweet bread and their kale soup. Ooooh sooo very good! Wonderful Italian food as well! And of course, the Cape is well known for their fried onion rings. As they say, "They WICKED good!"

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  17. Oh this sounds so delicious and a pretty picture...this spells summer for sure!

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  18. I have neither cooked or eaten anything like this. I was drooling the whole time I read your instructions. It looks incredible!

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  19. I am headed to the beach and this one thing we make every year for the 4th of July and honestly we do not have one morsel of food left over when we make this. Your photo is excellent.
    Joyce

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  20. I love seafood...any kind of seafood. I think I'd chooose seafood over dessert although I don't often have to make that choice. ;o)

    I had forgotten all about your marshmallow fluff & cream cheese mix! I have both & some strwaberries & the grandboys are here...I'm gonna make us a snack!

    *sighing over your jadeite* Would you believe I don't have one piece?

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  21. I've only had clams fried, and when they are done well, they are tender and sweet. This meal looks like food for the gods--and the corn looks magnificent!

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  22. Oh my goodness Katy this looks fantastic, let the smmer begin!

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  23. This makes me so hungry. It looks SO good!

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  24. Wow, that looks amazing! I just want to jump in and dip some of the clam meat into the butter!

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