How to Reheat Steamer Clams

You must carefully reheat clams to keep them tender and sweet.

Steamer clams are a variety of soft shell clam and are also called Ipswich or longnecks. As the name implies, these clams are best steamed, but like all mollusks, steamer clams risk becoming tough and rubbery if overcooked. This is most likely to occur during reheating. Rather than using conventional, direct heat methods, think outside the saucepan for another means of warming your steamer clams without making them tough.

Things You'll Need

• Clam broth
• Slotted spoon

Instructions

1. Remove the black membrane from around the neck of the steamer clams if you did not do so the first time you cooked the steamers.

2. Heat clam broth over medium-low heat on a stove until just below a simmer.

3. Remove the broth from the heat and add the steamer clams.

4. Let the steamer clams sit in the warm broth until they are warmed through. The broth also imparts more flavor into the clams than if using water.

5. Remove the clams from the broth with a slotted spoon and serve along with bowls of the clam broth for dipping or drinking.

References

• "The New England Cookbook"; Brooke Dojny; 1999
• Chow: Clam