RHODE ISLAND CLAMCAKES

Rhode Island Clamcakes image

Number Of Ingredients 12

18 quahog clams
6 cups canola or vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup lager or other light beer
1 3/4 cups AP flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika

Steps:

Steam clams in 2 cups of water (or 1 cup of water and 1 cup of lager, if you like) in a large covered stockpot. When the clams have all opened (about 8 minutes), remove the meat from the shells and cool completely before using. Reserve 1⁄2 cup of the clam cooking liquid. Chop clams finely into pea-sized pieces. Reserve
Over medium-high heat, heat canola oil in a heavy 6-quart pot fitted with a deep fry thermometer.
In a small bowl, mix the eggs, milk, reserved clam clam cooking liquid, and beer. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, sugar, pepper, and paprika. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the liquids. Fold the batter gently, until it is completely hydrated but not yet totally smooth. Add the clams and finish folding to combine.
When the frying oil reaches 365° F, use two large spoons to scoop and scrape about 2 tablespoons of batter into the oil. Drop three of four more cakes into the oil in this manner and fry until they are crisp and golden, 6-7 minutes, carefully maintaining an oil temperature between 350 and 365° F. Use a mesh strainer or slotted spoon to transfer the clamcakes to a paper towel-lined sheet pan to drain. Continue cooking the rest of the batter in this way and serve immediately with red or white clam chowder, tartar sauce, or hot sauce.