Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Steamers!

It's definitely been overload on the shellfish these days, trying everything again and so far no disappointments. Tried my hand at steamers, following the directions from Simply Recipes. Perfection! She covered every detail so I will just give you the link. Very easy. Now I need to get more. A lot more. 





Steamer Clams
Printable Recipe

2 pounds of soft shell steamer clams
1/2 cup butter, melted
water for steaming

Place the steamers in a bucket or deep bowl and cover with several inches of salty water (a tablespoon of salt dissolved in every quart of water), and let sit several hours in a cool place, preferably overnight. This step is optional. But it will make the clams less sandy. The steamer clams will discharge sand while they are sitting in the water. You can change the water if you want. If you don't have time to let the clams soak for hours, just put several of them at a time in a large bowl, cover with water, and gently swirl the water around with your fingers for half a minute. Do this a couple of times or until no more sand is released. There will most likely be more sand and grit after cooking but you dip them in the steaming broth before you eat them to rinse it away.

When ready to cook, put about an inch of water (you can also use beer) in the bottom of a tall, large pot. Place a steamer rack at the bottom of the pot. Carefully place the clams on the steamer rack, pasta pot, or if you don't have either then just put the clams directly in the pot. The clam shells are on the thin side and can easily break, so be gentle as you put the steamers in the pot. If any of the clams seem dead, smell bad, or whose siphons don't retract a bit when you touch them, toss them out. Cover the pot. Bring the water to a boil. Let the clams cook in the steam from the boiling water for about 10 minutes, until the steamer clam shells are wide open, then remove the pot from the heat. Any steamers that don't open should be discarded. Let the clams cool for a couple minutes.

Remove the clams from the pot, checking for any that don't open, discard those. Place the clams in a serving bowl. Do not discard the clam broth Pour a bit of the hot broth into bowls for serving. Put the melted butter into small bowls for dipping.

Serve the steamers with a bowl for the clams, an empty bowl for the shells, a small bowl with the clam broth for dipping, and a smaller bowl with butter for dipping. The siphon end of the clam is great to use as a "handle" for dipping and though it's a little tough it is edible.



48 comments:

  1. I love steamers...our Costco has them once in awhile, mostly mussels, though. I could live on seafood.
    Aren't you glad you had those allergy tests done so you can enjoy some of the best food in the world?

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  2. Those steamers look fabulous - I love simply recipes - always a winner!
    Mary x

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  3. I believe I can smell that delicious briny, buttery smell!

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  4. Mmm I love steamers! I'm inspired to make some!

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  5. This would be something my daughters would just love! :)

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  6. Nice idea to steam the clams.

    Do participate in a giveaway on my blog:
    http://rakshaskitchen.blogspot.com/2013/04/nunaturals-stevia-giveaway-worth-57-usd.html

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  7. Carol, I am thrilled you can eat seafood! We just did steamers Friday night. Love them!

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  8. They seem delicious!Many kisses,sweet Carol!

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  9. Dipping a Steamer into the melted butter and repeating again and again - yum!
    ~Judy

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  10. Carol, I am glad there are no allergies. The steamer look and sounds yummy. Hope you are having a great week!

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  11. Living my whole life in New England, I am a huge fan of steamers. Yours look delicious. I always add a can of beer to the pot.

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  12. I love steamers! Hubs is not in my same bandwagon, sadly. He doesn't like mussels either! So sad. I could come over, though :). Your steamers look so delicious!

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  13. Looks delicious. I have never actually tried making shellfish at home. Might have to try it sometime.

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  14. Susan, just the opposite here. Dh loves steamers and mussels. I had a bad experience with one and not willing to try the other.

    Carol, I'm so happy for you! Had any lobster lately? We had their little cousins (crawfish) last weekend, but I'd love a couple of the big boys!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, a few times, but first time were going to grill lobster ourselves tonight!

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  15. I have always wanted to try these, I love the smaller mussels like I had in Amsterdam!

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  16. So fresh! How nice that you finally can enjoy as much food as you love!

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  17. Yum, I love these little morsels dipped in melted butter. I bet I can find them in tomorrow's farmers' market.

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  18. Nothing better, Karen! My daughter adds white wine to the water.

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    Replies
    1. White wine sounds like a great idea, too!! Thanks Barbara.

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  19. Oops! Did I just call you Karen, Carol? Sorry!

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  20. Nothing better, Karen! My daughter adds white wine to the water.

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  21. Oh...these Steamer Clams look wonderful. This is definitely the best way to enjoy fresh shellfish. :)

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  22. I've never had these but they sound delicious. Love all things shellfish.

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  23. Carol, these look so good that it makes me wish I could eat them. No allergies here, but more of a texture thing. I reckon it may have something to do with the way they were cooked when I first tried them.
    In any case, yours look fresh and delicious, unlike the rubber bands I was once served.

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  24. Steamers are the best! These look terrific.

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  25. Looks great. It's been a little while since I have had shelfish.

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  26. Looks healthy and delicious! Thanks for this, Carol

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  27. I have never made clams before, but I would love to make them. This looks SO good!

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  28. I love these little steamers but haven't prepared them in ages. I saw some at the farmers' market on Saturday and now I'm hungry for them. What a treat!

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  29. They sound delicious!!! Happy 4th of July!!! :)

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  30. Yum! In two weeks time I'll be in Spain, eating these!

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  31. It is so nice that you are able to enjoy seafood again. My husband just had steamers last night...they are a favorite of his.

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  32. I'm so happy that you are able to enjoy seafood again. My husband just had steamers last might...he loves them.

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  33. Replies
    1. Not cooking here lately, Ashok. I took a very long blogging break for the summer. But I'll be back. Thanks for stopping by. Hope all is well!

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    2. great! now u can follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ashokism.ashok

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  34. Miss reading your posts! Hope all is well in your world!!!

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    1. Hi Julie, thanks! I haven't been cooking much the past months. Had to take care of family. Hopefully I'll be back to blogging soon! I plan on it! Thanks for stopping by :) hope all is well with you!

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  35. Hi Carol! Hope you are well. Please be back soon. We miss you!!

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  36. I was hoping you'd say that. I'll continue tapping my fingers until you do.

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  37. I love shellfish. I can live on them alone. But so sad, I have to give them up because of my health. Although, I have some in here and there :-)

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