How to steam clams?
A friend of mine (professional seafood cook) told me to steam mussels fast and furious until they burst open.
Yesterday, I mixed mussels and clams. The mussels opened up perfectly, but the clams were stuck to the shells and, instead of getting them out whole, they were minced.
Should the clams be opened with a knife before steaming, or should they steam longer than the mussels?
Best Answer
Clams take about twice to three times as long to cook than mussels. The shells are just so much thicker it takes that long for the heat to get inside. Kinda like trying to cook a 2 inch steak on a grill beside a 1/2 inch steak and expecting them both to be done at the same time.
If you want to have both for a meal then do them in seperate pots and mix after or... pre-cook the clams (not recommended) and add them to the mussels when cooking them, so they'll re-heat (and get rubbery too probably but I know many a restaurant that does this...they have no love for the clam).
Seperate pots is the best way. Enjoy.
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How do you steam a clam?
Steam the clams on medium heat, with the lid on, for 5 to 7 minutes. Clams cook like popcorn: some cook faster than others. Stir or shake the pot during cooking so that all the clams have room to open up.What to put in water to steam clams?
Add one to two inches of water or your favorite beer (this adds bite) in a large steamer or pot and add clams. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and cover tightly. Steam clams for 3 to 5 minutes, until their shells open.Do you clean clams before steaming?
If you're steaming or serving clams in a clam bake, you do not need to clean, or shuck, the clam meat. But if you're adding these to pastas or salads, you may want to shuck them first.Do you boil clams or steam them?
For proper food safety, the Food and Drug Administration recommends that clam and mussels be steamed in their shells for at least four to nine minutes after the water reaches a full boil. Be sure to discard any clams or mussels that do not open during cooking.Steamed Clams - Cooking Live Littleneck Clams to perfection in 10 minutes - PoorMansGourmet
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