Best New England Steamed Clams Recipes

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.

STEAMED CLAMS WITH JALAPEñO BUTTER

Steps:

• Scrub the clams under cold running water to remove grit and sand, then set aside.
• Melt 2 teaspoons of the butter in a large pot set over medium heat. Add the bacon, if using, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it has started to crisp, approximately 5 minutes.
• Add the beer to the pot, and allow to heat through, then carefully add the clams in layers. Cover the pot, and let the clams steam and open, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
• While the clams cook, put a small pot over medium heat, and add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. When it melts, add the jalapeños and stir to combine. Keep the butter warm until ready to use.
• Drain the clams, reserving their liquor, and serve them on a platter, with the reserved clam broth and the melted butter.

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.

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.