Steamer Clams

Final weekend, we visited Redondo Seaside to rejoice my good friend’s birthday. Redondo Seaside is one in every of my favourite locations within the Los Angeles space, not just for its spectacular views and exquisite seashores but additionally for its unimaginable seafood.

When you’re a neighborhood or have visited Redondo Seaside, you’ll comprehend it’s famend for its contemporary seafood. Quite a few seafood shacks promote all the pieces from contemporary oysters to blue crab and Dungeness crab, lobster, varied forms of clams like razor clams and extra, attracting each locals and vacationers alike.

Every time I’m going there, I at all times purchase steamer clams; I’m completely in love with these clams. They’ve skinny, fragile white shells with a siphon protruding, which is why they’re additionally known as soft-shell clams in some areas. They aren’t simply accessible on the West Coast of the USA, usually discovered alongside the Atlantic coast.

When you’re not on the Atlantic coast, discovering steamer clams could be troublesome, however you possibly can definitely use any clams accessible in your space, similar to Manila clams.

For an Asian-inspired clam dish, you may need to attempt Thai steamed clams, Korean clam soup, or Japanese steamed clams.

Sidenote: Technically, ‘soft-shell clam’ refers to varied forms of clams with skinny shells. Nonetheless, alongside the Atlantic coast, ‘soft-shell clam’ principally refers to steamer clams.

The Finest Steamer Clams Recipe

Smooth-shell clams are extremely candy and briny, with tender, juicy flesh, usually vary in measurement from about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) in size. The flesh has a clean consistency that’s barely chewy when cooked correctly.

One of the simplest ways to take pleasure in them is steamed with garlic, herbs, butter, and white wine. The clam juice is savory and completely scrumptious, and you could not even want salt within the recipe! I at all times savor each drop of it. Alternatively, you possibly can soak it up with slices of French baguette. You might also benefit from the broth with a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of black pepper, relying in your style preferences.

Total, the clam juice from steamer clams is prized for its briny, seafood-rich style and will be loved in varied methods to totally admire its essence.

Why is my New England garlic butter steamers recipe the most effective? Listed below are the explanations:

• Simple prep and quick cooking time: Seafood lovers rejoice as a result of this recipe is extremely simple and fast to organize, providing you with extra time to savor the deliciousness of the clams.
• Versatile recipe: Serve the clams as they’re, or pair them with a easy spaghetti dish. When you’re quick on time, merely boil spaghetti and serve it with the clams and their savory broth as the principle entrée.

Garlic Butter Steamers Components

This steamer clams recipe requires only some principal components:

• Steamers or mushy shell clams
• Garlic
• Butter
• White Wine
• Parsley

This recipe for steamer clams is extremely easy, simple, and fast, prepared in simply quarter-hour from prep to dinner desk. Confer with the recipe card for detailed ingredient info.

How To Clear and Cook dinner Steamer Clams

The cooking course of is totally straight ahead and includes solely two easy steps beneath:

Learn how to Clear: To wash steamer clams, first discard any rotten or open clams. Subsequent, soak the clams in salted water for 20-Half-hour to take away sand. Scrub the shells with a mushy brush and rinse beneath chilly water.

Step 1: Warmth up a small pot and add the melted butter. Sauté the garlic till you odor the aroma, however not browned. Steam the mushy shell clams within the pot, stirring to mix properly. Add the white wine and canopy the pot with its lid.

Step 2: Steam and prepare dinner for about 5 minutes, or till all of the clams have opened up. Add parsley and salt to style. Serve instantly with crusty bread.

Professional Tip: Discard any clams that stay unopened after cooking, as they could be dangerous. Moreover, keep away from consuming clams with partially open shells that emit an disagreeable odor.

Sidenote: The black coloration on the highest of siphon is pure pigmentation, as a consequence of by environmental elements of their habitat. It’s regular and you don’t want to chop off the black finish on the siphon of a steamer clam. Chances are you’ll pull of and take away the membrane masking the siphon and eat the remainder of it.

Useful Suggestions For Dwelling Cooks

• Recent dwell clams: Select contemporary, dwell clams with closed shells. Don’t use frozen clams.
• Cleansing clams: Soak clams in salted water to take away grit and sand earlier than cooking.
• Garlic butter: Sauté contemporary garlic in butter till aromatic, being cautious to not burn it, earlier than including the clams.
• Don’t overcook: Steam clams simply till they open (about 5 minutes), discard any that don’t open.

Continuously Requested Questions

What To Serve With Steamer Clams

This recipe is greatest loved with crusty bread to absorb the broth, easy pasta like linguine or spaghetti, a inexperienced salad, roasted greens, and corn on the cob. For an entire New England-style meal at residence, I like to recommend pairing with the next recipes.