BOIL CLAM RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to a moderately hot temperature, about 400°F; if using coals, wait until they turn white-hot. 2. If desired, melt the butter in a large stockpot set over the grill or over moderate heat on a stove. Add the onion, crushed garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper, sautéing until softened, 4-5 minutes. 3. Add the Old Bay seasoning and thyme leaves; cook and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the water and bring to a boil over high heat. 4. Once boiling, reduce to a steady simmer and stir in the sausage and potatoes; return to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are just tender to the tip of a knife, 10-15 minutes. 5. Add the corn to the water and return to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes and then remove from the stockpot and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside until needed. 6. Return the seafood boil to a simmer and stir in the crabs and lobster. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. 7. In the meantime, brush the corn with oil and season with a little salt and pepper. Place the corn on the grill and cook, turning a few times, until lightly charred all over, 6-8 minutes. Remove from the grill. 8. When the crab and lobster are ready, stir in the shrimp and clams. Cover and cook until the shrimp are opaque and the clams have opened, 4-5 minutes. 9. Add the parsley, lemon juice, and plenty of salt and pepper to taste to the seafood boil. Serve straight from the pot with grilled corn on the side and seafood boil sauce on the side. (See Tips for a seafood boil sauce.)

Steps:

• Rinse the clams in several changes of cold water and drain well. Tip the clams into a large pan with 500ml of water. Cover, bring to the boil and simmer for 2 mins until the clams have just opened. Tip the contents of the pan into a colander over a bowl to catch the clam stock. When cool enough to handle, remove the clams from their shells – reserving a handful of empty shells for presentation if you want. Strain the clam stock into a jug, leaving any grit in the bottom of the bowl. You should have around 800ml stock.
• Heat the butter in the same pan and sizzle the bacon for 3-4 mins until it starts to brown. Stir in the onion, thyme and bay and cook everything gently for 10 mins until the onion is soft and golden. Scatter over the flour and stir in to make a sandy paste, cook for 2 mins more, then gradually stir in the clam stock then the milk and the cream.
• Throw in the potatoes, bring everything to a simmer and leave to bubble away gently for 10 mins or until the potatoes are cooked. Use a fork to crush a few of the potato chunks against the side of the pan to help thicken – you still want lots of defined chunks though. Stir through the clam meat and the few clam shells, if you've gone down that route, and simmer for a minute to reheat. Season with plenty of black pepper and a little salt, if needed, then stir through the parsley just before ladling into bowls or hollowed-out crusty rolls.