Clam Juice Recipes

CLAM BROTH

Steps:

• Wash the clams one at a time under running water, scrubbing off any sand with your fingers, a scouring pad, or a brush. If a clam is slightly open and doesn't close when tapped on a hard surface, discard it. Try to pry open any clam that feels very heavy. If it's full of sand, discard it.
• Put 2 cups of water in a heavy-duty 6- to 7-quart pot or Dutch oven, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the clams and cook, covered, for 5 minutes (if the liquid threatens to boil over, set the lid ajar and reduce the heat slightly). Remove the lid, stir, and as the clams pop open completely, transfer them with tongs to a large bowl. (Recover the pot if necessary until the clams start opening regularly.) Discard any clams that have not opened after 20 minutes. If a shell is a little cracked but still pops open, the clam is fine to use.
• When cool enough to handle, remove each clam from its shell over the bowl, leaving the adductor muscles on either side of the clam attached to the shell. Squeeze each clam gently over the bowl to capture as much of the broth as possible and then transfer the meat to a small bowl and discard the shells.
• Strain the broth from the bowl and the pot through a fine sieve lined with a double layer of paper towels set over a medium bowl or large measuring cup. Close and press the paper towels to release more broth.
• Dilute the broth with water (3 to 5 cups) until it is pleasantly briny, not overly salty. The meat and broth can be refrigerated separately for up to 1 day before using. Extra broth can be frozen and saved for another use.

HOMEMADE CLAMATO JUICE

Steps:

• Add all ingredients to a large measuring cup. Whisk together.
• Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Stir before using.

CLAM BROTH

Steps:

• Clean clam shells of any grit by rinsing and scrubbing in cold, running water. Wild-caught quahogs may need a little further cleaning. If there's a lot of dirt on the shells, soak them in cold water for 5-10 minutes then rinse and scrub them thoroughly with a sturdy brush.
• Bring the 3 cups of water to a boil in a large, wide stockpot.
• Add clams and cover pot. Boil for five to ten minutes, or until the shells open. The shells will open at different times. Remove the clams with tongs as they open and set aside to prevent the meats from overcooking.
• Let the broth sit for about 10 minutes to allow any grit or pieces of shell to settle to the bottom.
• While the broth sits, remove the meats from their shells and refrigerate if not using them right away. You'll get about 2 cups or 1 pound of clam meats.
• Slowly strain the broth through a fine mesh colander but don't pour off the last few ounces which contains the grit.
• Chill whatever you won't be immediately using. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.