In the heart of New England, a culinary tradition has been passed down through generations: the clambake. This quintessential summertime feast brings people together to savor the bounty of the sea and celebrate the region's rich heritage. Picture a large pot filled with succulent clams, sweet lobster, tender corn on the cob, and briny mussels, all steamed to perfection over a bed of seaweed. The aroma of the briny ocean and the sweet, smoky scent of the fire mingle in the air, creating an irresistible invitation to indulge. Alongside the clambake's mainstays, you'll find an array of accompaniments, each adding its unique flavor and texture to the symphony of tastes. Buttery melted lemon butter enhances the sweetness of the seafood, while a tangy tartar sauce provides a zesty contrast. For a touch of crunch, coleslaw and potato chips are essential sides. And to quench your thirst, there's nothing quite like a cold beer or a refreshing glass of lemonade. Whether you're a seasoned clambake enthusiast or a first-timer eager to experience this New England tradition, this article has all the recipes you need to create a memorable clambake at home. From the classic clambake with all the traditional accompaniments to variations featuring unique ingredients and cooking methods, you'll find everything you need to make this summer gathering a resounding success.
Let's cook with our recipes!
ONE POT CLAM BAKE
Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen
Categories Potato Steam Dinner Seafood Clam Lobster Mussel White Wine Summer Birthday Family Reunion Healthy Engagement Party Bon Appétit Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Makes 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Place a steamer basket in 30-quart pot. Add wine and 12 cups water; cover and bring to a boil. Add potatoes; cover and cook 5 minutes. Add lobsters and eggs; cover and cook 10 minutes. Gently nestle corn and next 6 ingredients (and littlenecks, if using) in pot. Cover and cook 5 minutes. Add Manila clams or steamers (if using), cover, and cook 10 minutes. Add mussels, cover, and cook until shellfish open, about 5 minutes (discard any that do not open). Peel 1 egg and cut in half. If it's hard-boiled, lobsters are ready.
- Using a slotted spoon and tongs, transfer clambake to a very large platter or a table covered with newspaper. Sprinkle with spice mix. Pour broth from pot into small bowls, leaving any sediment behind. Serve clambake with broth and melted butter.
NEW ENGLAND CLAMBAKE IN A KETTLE
This is a great way to enjoy a clambake without all the work of digging the whole, heating the rocks and packing the food in seaweed. The amounts of the foods can be altered to your liking (listed amounts are a per person approximation). It can be done outdoors in a big kettle placed on a propane burner. Turkey fryer pans work well! Serve with lots of melted butter, crusty bread, cold beer/wine and napkins!
Provided by quotFoodThe Way To
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 20m
Yield 1 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- The above ingredients are the average you should add for each person.
- Put fish, potato, onion, and pork sausage on a square of cheesecloth, fold up to make a pouch and tie with kitchen string.
- Put 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water into a large pot. Add steamers, littlenecks and/or mussels, hot dog and chourico. Leave husks on corn. Place corn on top of steamers. Place pouches of potatoes and fish on top of corn. Top with lobster. Cover.
- Place on high heat until steaming, then lower heat and cook until the lobster is red. Time varies with the amount of ingredients. A bake for six takes about an hour.
- TIP: Usually a potato placed on top of the whole boil helps to determine when the boil is done. If the potato is tender to fork touch, the rest of the food is cooked.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 904.5, Fat 20.9, SaturatedFat 6.7, Cholesterol 431.9, Sodium 2792.6, Carbohydrate 68.6, Fiber 7.2, Sugar 11.3, Protein 110.8
KITCHEN CLAMBAKE
Steps:
- Slice the kielbasa diagonally into 1-inch thick slices. Set aside. Saute the onions and leeks in the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed 16 to 20 quart stockpot over medium heat for 15 minutes, until the onions start to brown.
- Layer the ingredients on top of the onions in the stockpot in this order: first the potatoes, salt, and pepper; then the kielbasa, little neck clams, steamer clams, mussels, shrimp, and lobsters. Pour in the white wine. Cover the pot tightly and cook over medium-high heat until steam just begins to escape from the lid, about 15 minutes. Lower the heat to medium and cook another 15 minutes. The clambake should be done. Test to be sure the potatoes are tender, the lobsters are cooked, and the clams and mussels are open. Remove the lobsters to a wooden board, cut them up, and crack the claws. With large slotted spoons, remove the seafood, potatoes, and sausages to a large bowl and top with the lobsters. Season the broth in the pot to taste, and ladle over the seafood, being very careful to avoid any sand in the bottom.
NEW ENGLAND CLAMBAKE IN A KETTLE
This is a great way to enjoy a clambake without all the work of digging the whole, heating the rocks and packing the food in seaweed. The amounts of the foods and kinds of foods can be altered to your liking (listed amounts are a per person approximation). It can be done outdoors in a big kettle placed on a propane burner. Turkey...
Provided by star pooley
Categories Seafood
Time 55m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- 1. The above ingredients are the average you should add for each person.
- 2. Put fish, potato, onion, and pork sausage on a square of cheesecloth, fold up to make a pouch and tie with kitchen string.
- 3. Put 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water into a large pot. Add steamers, littlenecks and/or mussels, hot dog and chourico. Leave husks on corn. Place corn on top of steamers. Place pouches of potatoes and fish on top of corn. Top with lobster. Cover.
- 4. Place on high heat until steaming, then lower heat and cook until the lobster is red. Time varies with the amount of ingredients. A bake for six takes about an hour.
- 5. TIP: Usually a potato placed on top of the whole boil helps to determine when the boil is done. If the potato is tender to fork touch, the rest of the food is cooked.
SHEET-PAN NEW ENGLAND CLAM BAKE
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°. Place potatoes in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning; toss to coat. Bake until tender, 25-30 minutes. Using a potato masher, flatten potatoes to 1/2-in. thickness; remove and keep warm., Add corn, mussels, clams, shrimp and chorizo to same pan; top with potatoes. Pour wine into pan. Squeeze lemon wedges over top; add to pan., Combine butter, garlic, seafood seasoning and Cajun seasoning. Pour half the butter mixture over top. Bake until shrimp turn pink and mussels and clams open, 20-25 minutes. Discard any unopened mussels or clams., Drizzle with remaining butter mixture. Sprinkle with pepper; top with parsley. If desired, serve with bread.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 639 calories, Fat 35g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 214mg cholesterol, Sodium 1302mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 46g protein.
Tips:
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Before you start cooking, make sure all your ingredients are prepped and measured. This will help you stay organized and ensure that your clambake is cooked evenly.
- Choose High-Quality Seafood: Use the freshest seafood you can find. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your clambake.
- Don't Overcrowd the Kettle: Make sure you don't overcrowd the kettle with ingredients. This will prevent them from cooking evenly.
- Be Patient: Clambakes take time to cook. Don't rush the process or you'll end up with undercooked seafood.
- Serve Immediately: Clambakes are best served immediately after they're cooked. This will ensure that the seafood is at its peak flavor.
Conclusion:
A New England clambake in a kettle is a delicious and festive way to celebrate summer. With its combination of fresh seafood, vegetables, and herbs, it's a meal that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a special way to entertain guests, give this classic recipe a try. With careful preparation and attention to detail, you can create a clambake that is both delicious and memorable. So gather your friends and family, fire up the kettle, and enjoy this quintessential New England tradition!
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