California Clam Bake Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Place a potatoes in a layer in the bottom of a large pot. Cover with a layer of clams, then mussels, and finally the shrimp. Pour in the vermouth and enough chicken broth to fill the pot halfway. You may not need all of the broth, depending on the size of your pot. Cut a half cup of the butter into cubes and place on top of the seafood. Cover with a lid, and seal tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for 45 minutes. Remove from the heat, and carefully remove the foil and lid. Remove the seafood and potatoes from the liquid and serve on a large platter, family-style.
• Melt 1/2 cup of reserved butter, and divide into 4 individual dishes for dipping. Serve with French bread and remaining softened butter for the bread.

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.

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in large pasta pot with a strainer and simmer until clams open and the corn is tender. Strain liquid and dump ingredients onto a large table for a great festive feast.

Steps:

• Dig a shallow pit in the sand and line it with large stones. Pile wood on top of the coals. Burn the wood for 1 to 2 hours until the rocks are red hot; rake off the ashes. Set 1 cinder block on each corner of the pit to form the base; lay a barbecue grate on top to make a table.
• While the stones are heating prepare the herb butter: Mix the butter with the cheese and herbs; season it with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Place a thick layer of seaweed on the grate. Place a layer of potatoes on the rack and cover them with a thin layer of seaweed. Put the corn on next and then another thin layer of seaweed. Now put on the kielbasa and top it with a thin layer of seaweed. Next mound the clams on top and cover with a thick layer of seaweed. Cover the entire bake with burlap or a tarp soaked in sea water. Keep the tarp wet by pouring sea water over the top if needed. Cook until the clams open and the potatoes are tender, about 1 hour.
• Pull the husks back from the corn and remove the silk. Brush generously with the herb butter and garnish with grated Parmesan.

Steps:

• The ingredients listed are suggested. Feel free to use whatever ingredients your party likes and has available. This technique is for an indoor clambake. Optimally, a clambake is held on the beach in a rock lined sand pit in which a fire has been going for hours and the red embers have heated the rocks to over 400 degrees. Placing the large wash tin on a few lit burners on the stovetop can create a similar effect. Place rocks down first. Let heat for 15 minutes. Once rocks are hot, place seaweed on rocks then begin to insert the clams. Place one pie tin above the clams. Place leeks and butter in the tin, cover with the second tin. Continue adding rest of ingredients. Pour 2 gallons of fresh water (or sea water if possible) over entire tub. Cover tightly and let steam and cook for at least 20 minutes. When eggs on top have become hard-boiled, the rest of ingredients should be cooked as well. Plate and eat.

Steps:

• Put the potatoes and the chicken thighs in a large pot. Cover with salted water and boil, skimming and discarding any scum that rises, for about 25 minutes or until the potatoes are soft and the chicken thighs are cooked through. Drain and set aside.
• In the meantime, light the fire using hardwood charcoal. Place the corn in a large bowl of water and soak thoroughly, about 20 to 30 minutes.
• When the coals are red in the center with ash around them, the fire is ready. Put the lobsters and corn on the rotisserie grill. Arrange the potatoes, chicken, and sausage on top of the grill and top with the clams. Cook for 45 minutes. Serve with melted butter.

Steps:

• For the clambake: Preheat a grill or prepare coals in a fire pit with a grill grate to high heat. Combine 8 cups water and the House Seasoning in a large, deep roasting pan. Add the potatoes and sausage. Place on the grill grate, cover with foil and bring the water to a boil. Let boil 6 minutes. Add the corn, mussels, clams, lemons and onions. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Add the lobster tails and shrimp. Dot the top with the butter and pour the wine over the top. Cover and cook until the corn is tender and all the seafood is done, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the Bloody Mary Cocktail Sauce: Stir together the ketchup, horseradish, Worcestershire, lemon juice, garlic, vodka, hot sauce and celery seeds in a medium bowl. Serve the seafood clambake with the cocktail sauce and the white wine-butter pan sauce.
• Stir together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Add clams, and boil until all of the clams are open, about 5 minutes. Drain, and remove the empty half of the shell from each one. Place the full halves onto a baking sheet.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the crackers, garlic powder, and parsley into a large resealable bag. Crush until fine, and mash to mix. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the cracker crumb mixture, and cook until golden brown, stirring constantly. Spoon onto the clams in the shells.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until browned and topping is crispy. Serve with lemon and hot pepper sauce.