Things You'll Need:
- BBQ
- Crab
- Lobster
- Potatoes
- Corn on the Cob
- Mood setting decorations
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Step 1
Set the mood. Your first task, especially if you are not in New England, is to set the mood of the party. Accessories such as fish nets, sea shells and driftwood, all can add to your place settings and atmosphere for your party.
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Step 2
Buy the ingredients. Clambakes quite honestly do not always include clams (however if you would like to add them to your menu, you sure can). However, lobster, crab, potatoes, and corn on the cob are pretty essential. You really can add any type of seafood you want to create that fisherman's taste combination.
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Step 3
Make your fire pit. All of your food can be cooked in your own home kitchen or on a BBQ grill separately, but the true clambake is done on the beach in a homemade oven. You can easily duplicate this in your backyard if you have a patch of open dirt. Dig a pit about 2 feet deep and line the outside of your pit with large rocks. Set a bonfire in your pit and let it burn until your rocks are hot. Shovel out the ashes (be careful they will be hot) and place 4 cinder blocks in the center of your pit. Set a foil covered grill grate over the top of the cinder blocks. This will become your oven.
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Step 4
Cook your food. There are really so many recipes for clambakes around that I would be at a loss for words to recommend only one. A quick search on the internet will bring up a host of flavorful ideas for your clambake. However, a good example of a clambake recipe can be found at http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_15693,00.html
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Step 5
Keep your guests entertained and munching. Make sure and be a good host or hostess prepared with appetizers and beverages for your guests until the clambake is done cooking. You can have the entire meal prepared before they get there, but half the fun is the oohs and aahs that will come as you unveil your homemade oven filled with yummy seafood.
