Recipe New England Style Fried Clams

FRIED IPSWICH WHOLE BELLY CLAMS WITH TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Set up for what we call "standard breading procedure": Put the flour in a shallow bowl; put the eggs in a second shallow bowl and beat them with a fork; put the cracker meal, bread crumbs, cornmeal, and Old Bay in a third shallow bowl and whisk to combine.
• Spread the clams out on several layers of paper towels and blot them as dry as possible.
• Heat about 3 inches of canola oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat to 360°F.
• Toss the clams in the flour and shake off any excess. Dip the clams into the egg, coating them completely. Lift them out by the handful and let any excess egg drip off, then put the clams into the breading mixture and toss to coat them completely. Keep one hand dry and use the other hand for wet. Transfer to the baking sheet. If the breading begins to clump, put it through a coarse sieve.
• Fry the clams in small batches-crowding the pan will lower the temperature of the oil and the clams will come out greasy-until golden brown and crisp, about 1 minute. Drain on paper towels.
• Pile the clams on 4 dinner plates and serve with individual bowls of tartar sauce-and some fries.

LINDA'S NEW ENGLAND FRIED CLAMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to its lowest setting.
• Line a lg. cookie sheet with double thickness of paper towels, and place it in the oven.
• Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer, or a lg. heavy saucepan, to a depth of about 3".
• Heat oil to 375°F.
• In a bowl, beat the eggs until well blended, then stir in the milk and salt.
• Spread the flour on a lg. strip of wax paper.
• Drop the clams into the egg-milk mixture, and let them soak for 1 minute.
• Pick up a handful of the soaked clams, and roll them in the flour until well coated. Shake off any excess flour before dropping in the oil.
• Immediately drop the floured clams into the hot oil, and deep-fry for 1-2 mins., until golden brown.
• As they brown, transfer them to the towel-lined pan, and keep them warm in the oven, while the rest are cooking.
• Serve with lemon wedges, tarter sauce, and ketchup.