Things You'll Need:
- Sand
- Shells
- Newspaper
- Beach Themed Stickers
- Fish Net
- Large and Small Buckets
- Lobsters Sets
- Marker
- Votive Candles
- Jelly Jar or Vases
- Ocean Wave CD
- Large Pot/Pans
- Paper Towels
- Sturdy Plastic Utensils
- Sturdy Plastic Plates
- Thongs
- Ice
- Lobsters
- Clams and/or Mussels
- Seaweed
- Lemon
- Butter
- Salt & Pepper
- Corn
- Potatoes
- Clam Bake Seasoning
- Bottled Beer/Soda
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Step 1
Lobster SetsInvitations that set the clam bake theme result in the best turnout. Local grocery or discount stores should sell lobster sets that include a plastic bib, crackers or mallets and picks; purchase double the amount needed. Save half the packs for the clam bake and open the other half. Write invitations on the back of the plastic bibs with a marker including invitee, date, time, and an RSVP; tuck in an envelope and mail a week or so prior to the event. Save the lobster mallets and picks from the opened packages for the party.
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Step 2
Simple decorating is best suited for clam bakes. Cover tables with layers of newspaper for that casual feel and easy clean up. Use multiple layers as lobsters, butter, corn and clams can get messy
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Step 3
Wrap sturdy utensils and the lobster sets (bibs, mallets, picks) in a few paper towels and seal with a beach themed sticker. Place in a galvanized or colored bucket for guests to grab with a stack of sturdy plates near by.
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Step 4
Use additional large and small buckets to hold sliced lemons, melted butter, salt and pepper, bottled beer or soda with ice, and the extra lobster mallets and picks. Leave a number of empty buckets to collect the seafood shells and corn husks.
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Step 5
Create an easy centerpiece by draping a fisherman’s net (available at party/discount stores) down the center of the table. Add vases or jelly jars filled with sand and shells. Add votive candles to each sand/shell-filled vase or jar as evening draws.
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Step 6
Grocery stores have all the clam bake necessities; some may even have packages available instead of purchasing each item. Contact the store’s seafood department for assistance with needed quantities and packaging. Purchase live lobsters (1 per person), clams and/or mussels, corn, potatoes and clam bake boil or seasoning. Request that seaweed be added to the seafood packaging. The seaweed will insulate and add an ocean-salt flavor and scent when steaming.
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Step 7
All items can be steamed together, if desired. Using a few large pots, deep aluminum pans or, for the lucky few, an outdoor steaming pit, layer, in order, the lobsters, clams and/or mussels, corn and potatoes between seaweed. Add water and the seasoning (follow directions on box) and cook for 30 minutes or until lobsters are bright red and the potatoes soft.
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Step 8
Before serving, drain the water then pile everything back into the pots. Guests will be awed by an easy presentation of simply bringing the filled pots and pans to the table and dumping them out a newspaper-wrapped table for display. Add thongs and tell them to “Dig In!”
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Step 9
Clean up is a wrap; just fold the newspaper table clothes over the disposable items and place in the trash
