Steamers And Broth Recipes

STEAMERS AND BROTH

Steps:

• Begin by cleaning the steamers in a large pot filled with the vinegar and ice cold water to cover. Discard any clams that rise to the surface, they are not alive. Allow the steamers to soak for at least 30 minutes, then rinse in cold water and drain in a large colander.
• *Vinegar is the secret to de-sanding steamers during the cleaning process. Live steamers dislike an acidic enviroment, and will naturally purge themselves of any excess sand.
• Fill a tall, narrow pot with 2 inches of water and the celery and bring to a rapid boil. Carefully add the steamers to the pot, so that the shells do not break. Cover and cook over high heat for 8 minutes, or until the shells open; discard any that don't open. Meanwhile, melt the butter over low heat in a medium saucepan and divide among 6 small bowls.
• Transfer the cooked steamers to medium serving bowls, discard the celery, and ladle the steamer broth (the water left in the pot)into separate small bowls. Serve immediately with the melted butter and more bowls for discarding the shells.
• *To eat pull the steamer from its shell, dipping it in the warm steamer broth water to remove any remaining sand, then dipping it in melted butter, and finally eating it as you pull the skin off the neck of the clam.

STEAMED CLAMS IN GARLIC SAFFRON BROTH

Steps:

• Crumble saffron into 1 cup of boiling water. Set aside to steep.
• Heat olive oil in a large, shallow saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots, and cook until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add wine, and stir to loosen any bits from pan. Add reserved saffron broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and add clams, chopped tomato, and half the chopped parsley. Stir to combine. Cover, and let steam until clams are opened, 10 to 12 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining parsley and pepper, and serve immediately.

STEAMERS IN RED CHILE PESTO BROTH

Steps:

• Heat grill to high.
• Place a large kettle on the grill, add wine and bring to a boil. Add the steamers, cover and steam until opened, discarding any that do not open. Remove steamers to a large bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Bring liquid back to a boil and reduce by half. Whisk in the red chile pesto and honey. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the cilantro. Pour the mixture over the steamers and serve immediately.
• Place chiles in a bowl and cover with boiling water; let sit until soft, at least 30 minutes.
• Remove the chiles from the liquid, reserving the liquid, and coarsely chop. Place the chiles in the bowl of a food processor along with 1/4 cup of the soaking liquid, honey, cilantro, garlic and pine nuts and process until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil until emulsified; season with salt and pepper.