How to Steam Oysters and Clams in the Shell

There is no better seafood than steamed oysters and clams. Learn how to steam both here, whether you're feeding a crowd or just yourself. This will prepare you, so invite friends, relatives and your Sunday school class. You'll have to try hard to mess this up. Go ahead; plan your seafood party with steamed oysters and clams.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• fresh oysters or clams in the shell
• large pot or seafood steamer
• water

1. Make sure your oysters are fresh and clean. Some seafood dealers do a better job than others. If extra cleaning is needed, usually a garden hose will do the trick. The idea is to be sure there is no mud stuck to the shell. DO NOT use any kind of cleaners or soaps, just cold running water.

2. Get out the seafood steamer if you have one. You'll need a large pot if not. Place a wire rack or something similar to keep the shellfish out of the water if you have one. If not, don't let this stop the party. If feeding a crowd, more than one pot will be needed to keep the food coming. When entertaining more than my family, I carry the cooking outside to a huge ancient pot that holds a bushel. I cover it with plywood while steaming the oysters.

3. The oysters or clams will need to be covered while steaming. If you're short of big pots with lids, wet a bath towel and cover the shellfish. A big pan can be used as well, and covered with a towel. Anything works as long as the steam is not allowed to escape freely.

4. Place about 1/2 to 3/4 inches of water in pot with oysters and bring to a boil until oysters or clams begin to open. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes boiling time for medium cooked oysters, a little longer if you like them drier. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Tips & Warnings

• Serve with hush puppies cornbread or oyster crackers.
• Use an oyster knife or butter knife, etc. to open. Never use a sharp knife!

[langleycornwell]

on 7/31/2009 Boy I wish I was eating steamed oysters right now. Thanks for the how to.

[wildfish]

on 7/9/2009 Thank you very much for your very helpful tips on cooking fresh clams and oysters. The procedure sounds very much like cooking mussels.
Denude the outer shells of any green plantain.Not much water in the pot. Clean mussels thoroughly with a
light plastic scurbber under the running tap of cold water.Rince thoroughly in sieve before cooking.Keep scrubber apart from others and use only for the cleaning of the sea shells before cooking.
Pop them into the steaming water in the pot. Takes only 5 - 10 mins to cook. Check to see if the shells have opened. Rinse off the cooked soup that exuded from the shells as they opened and you can savour this as a soup after eating the fish from the shells or take a little with along with the fish and a piece of wholemeal bread and butter. Yum12 Yum! I can taste them now. But then I love fish and most shell foods from the sea.

Thanks again for your go...

[lucindaroth]

on 4/17/2009 Another recipe my guy will love thank you

[jcrush]

on 4/9/2009 Is this a southern thing? I know that sounds like a silly question, but my dad's family from Alabama used to always talk about this. I wonder.... Well, now we all know how to steam oysters and clams in the shell!/*****