How to Prepare a Clam Bake
Introduction
Preparing a clam bake can be a wonderful party idea. These festive events usually consist of different styles of sea foods, such as lobster, clams and mussels. You can use any sea food that you desire. Potatoes, onions and corn are accompanied with the main dishes. Traditionally, a clam bake is done on the beach with various friends and relatives. However, if this is not possible for any reason consider setting the party at your own home.
Party Preparations
Setting up for the festival requires certain arrangements. There are no set guidelines on what you must do. However, there are some helpful suggestions to make your clam bake the talk of the town.
- Table cloths with red decor or sea life should cover all the tables.
- Collect various styles of decorations from the sea:
- Seashells
- Broken boat parts
- Rocks
- Sea water
- Sand
- Rope line
- Drift wood
- For a traditional clam bake, you must build a fire pit:
- First, dig a hole in the sand approximately 10 inches deep and around 4 feet in diameter.
- Rocks as well as fresh seaweed will need to be gathered from around the area.
- Place the rocks next to each other, tight fitting inside the hole. When building the fire, it needs to cover the entire pit.
- The rocks need to be as hot as possible; this may take 2 to 3 hours.
- When the rocks are heated properly, remove all of the burning wood and ashes.
- The fresh, moist seaweed needs to be placed on top of the steaming hot rocks.
- The layer of seaweed should cover the entire diameter and around 6 inches thick.
Preparing the Food
All of the ingredients should be near the fire pit.
- Clams
- Lobster
- Mussels
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Lemons
- Onions
- Butter
- Sea water
Recipe
- Clean every piece of seafood as well as the vegetables thoroughly.
- Prepare the onions by skinning them as well as the corn, leave the potatoes intact.
- Lay the clams on the seaweed in the fire pit, followed by the mussels and the lobster.
- Then add the corn, potatoes and onions to the fire.
- Place another layer of seaweed on top of the ingredients.
- Continue to pour sea water over the ingredients to keep them moist.
- Turn the food every 15 minutes.
- After about 2 hours the clam bake will be steamed to perfection.
- Create a sauce with melted butter and lemon juice.
- Enjoy!
Tips and Suggestions
- When you are in the middle of cooking, be sure to moisten the food frequently. It can dry out quickly if you are not careful.
- The seaweed needs to be fresh, directly out of water.
- When creating the fire pit, pay extra attention to your surroundings. Choose a location away from foot traffic or people enjoying the party.
- The size of the fire pit needs to be determined by the amount of people that are attending.
