Typically, clams are added to a dish while still in their shells, cooking them and causing their shells to open as a result of the heat of the steam or sauce. It must be prised from the shell if the recipe calls for raw clam meat. See our instructional video on how to open a clam for more information on the method, which is similar to opening an oyster.
Steaming clams is the most popular method of preparation. Bring a few inches of liquid to a rapid simmer in a heavy-bottomed saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. The liquid can be water, wine, cider, or fish stock. Place the clam shells in a steamer or colander and let them sit in the steam for two minutes, shaking the container occasionally, or until all of the clam shells have opened.
Additionally, you can cook fresh clams by submerging them immediately in hot liquid, such as a jus or sauce. The clams are typically added to the sauce at the very end of making spaghetti vongole so that the heat of the sauce and pan will cook the meat and cause the shells to open.
Clams are inexpensive and easy to prepare; they typically only require a brief period of intense heat. Clams are plentiful along Britain’s coastline. Clams are frequently steam or boiled before being added to pasta dishes, soups, and chowders. However, a purist may choose to simply remove the clams from their shells and serve them with a knob of butter, a pinch of salt, or even some mayonnaise and fresh herbs.
The clams must then be submerged in cold, heavily salted water for 20 minutes so that they can naturally filter out any grit and sand. The salt should taste like sea water. Repeat the procedure using new salted water if they are particularly sandy. After finishing this procedure, allow them to soak in cold, fresh water without salt for 10 minutes to rinse out any extra salt they may have absorbed.
How to make soft shell steamed clams, otherwise known as steamers, a specialty of New England. These steamed clams are fun to eat and taste delicious.
Tip 1: Watch the heat
When we say medium heat we mean it. dont turn the dial up. Cooking slowly will help all the clams open. If you overcook them by cooking them too quickly, they could become tough and come out of their shells. Still yummy, but tough.