A Guide To A Great Old Fashioned Clam Bake, Anywhere
For a summertime event that everyone will remember, host a good old fashioned clam bake this year. The secret is to find a reputable courier near your favorite seafood market that offers same day delivery. This is really the only way to enjoy fresh New England seafood, without buying frozen or processed product.
Some tips for pulling off your own clam bake include:
Buy lobsters during soft-shell season.
Talk with seafood merchants during the hottest months of summer and order soft-shell lobsters at a significantly lower price per pound than during hard-shell season. The other benefit is that the meat tends to be a bit more tender, and the shells are far easier to crack open. Lobsters have to be at least one-pound before they are able to be sold, so plan on a couple of 1-1 1/4 pound lobsters per person.
Don't forget the clams and mussels.
A clam bake isn't a clam bake without heaps of steamed clams and mussels. These add a distinct, ocean flavor to the mix, and they are delicious dipped in melted butter or vinegar. It is an old Maine tradition to toss an egg or two into the steaming pot, so be sure to add a couple to your own clam bake.
Do it on the beach.
The beach is by far the easiest place to pull off a real clam bake. The typical process involves digging a hole several feet deep, adding burning coals covered with kelp, and layering the food on top. The food is then covered with more seaweed and sand, and allowed to cook all day.
Seaweed adds flavor.
Even if you decide to mimic the traditional clam bake in the comfort of your own kitchen, don't forget to add some seaweed to your steam pots. The salt in the seaweed and kelp actually help the flavor of the seafood. Besides, it looks pretty cool during serving!
Blueberry pie, anyone?
You must end the meal with the popular New England dessert: blueberry pie. You can bake your own using frozen blueberries, or you can order these from bakers and restaurants in Maine and New England. Same day delivery may be offered by those eateries that rely on visitors and tourist season.
A clam bake is an interactive, tasty way to entertain this summer, particularly if you are fortunate enough to live near the beach. Make arrangements with same day courier services, such as On Time Delivery Service, to rush the freshest seafood to your door, and invite friends and family over for this New England tradition.