Best 6 Old Fashioned Midwestern Clambake Recipes

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Journey back in time to the heart of the Midwest, where the aroma of a traditional clambake fills the air. This culinary masterpiece, rooted in the region's rich history, promises a delectable feast that tantalizes taste buds and evokes a sense of nostalgia. In this article, we embark on a culinary expedition to uncover the best old-fashioned Midwestern clambake recipe, ensuring a memorable dining experience that will transport you to a simpler, more savory era.

Let's cook with our recipes!

KITCHEN CLAMBAKE



Kitchen Clambake image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 1/2 pounds kielbasa
3 cups chopped yellow onions (2 large onions)
2 cups chopped leeks, well cleaned (2 leeks, white parts only)
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 1/2 pounds small potatoes (red or white)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
2 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed
2 dozen steamer clams, scrubbed
2 pounds mussels, cleaned and debearded
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, in the shell
3 (1 1/2 pound) lobsters
2 cups good dry white wine

Steps:

  • Slice the kielbasa diagonally into 1-inch thick slices. Set aside. Saute the onions and leeks in the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed 16 to 20 quart stockpot over medium heat for 15 minutes, until the onions start to brown.
  • Layer the ingredients on top of the onions in the stockpot in this order: first the potatoes, salt, and pepper; then the kielbasa, little neck clams, steamer clams, mussels, shrimp, and lobsters. Pour in the white wine. Cover the pot tightly and cook over medium-high heat until steam just begins to escape from the lid, about 15 minutes. Lower the heat to medium and cook another 15 minutes. The clambake should be done. Test to be sure the potatoes are tender, the lobsters are cooked, and the clams and mussels are open. Remove the lobsters to a wooden board, cut them up, and crack the claws. With large slotted spoons, remove the seafood, potatoes, and sausages to a large bowl and top with the lobsters. Season the broth in the pot to taste, and ladle over the seafood, being very careful to avoid any sand in the bottom.

OLD FASHIONED MIDWESTERN CLAMBAKE



Old Fashioned MidWestern Clambake image

I have been making these with my family since as long as I can remember. This is a home version for 12 or so people. When I was growing up my dad and uncle would feed between 100-150 people. In my home version I bag all like ingredients together and just put everything in the middle of the table for folks to go at it. When we...

Provided by Lou Kostura

Categories     Seafood

Time 5h

Number Of Ingredients 11

150 clams, cleaned and scrubbed littleneck or middleneck
12 sweet potatoes
12 corn on the cob
3 whole chickens cut in half
3 lb chicken backs and necks
1 lb butter, unsalted
1 large celery head chopped in 4 inch pieces
1/4 c salt
2 Tbsp black pepper
water to cover
10 cheese cloth bags

Steps:

  • 1. Scrub clams of all sand using a vegetable brush, even if you are told they are clean from the fish monger they are NOT
  • 2. Bag clams in cheese cloth bags and tie, bag corn, sweet potatoes
  • 3. Season chicken halfs with salt and pepper and bag in cheesecloth, bag up the backs and necks
  • 4. Load all the bags into a very large stockpot ( mine is 28 quart) Add the celery, butter(yes the whole pound), salt and pepper. Place one large sweet potato on top of everything
  • 5. Cover and bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to simmer. When a fork is easily inserted into large sweet potato on top it done
  • 6. Put bags out on table, discard backs and necks, cut open bags and let everyone at it. Serve with additional melted butter and lots of napkins, and a cup of broth.

CLASSIC OLD FASHIONED



Classic Old Fashioned image

One of the great classic bourbon cocktails, the Old Fashioned was invented in Louisville, KY. Try bourbon, rye, or a blended whiskey in this cocktail. You can also sub one sugar cube for the simple syrup.

Provided by c-biskit

Categories     Drinks Recipes     Cocktail Recipes     Whiskey Drinks Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 1

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 teaspoons simple syrup
1 teaspoon water
2 dashes bitters
1 cup ice cubes
1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger bourbon whiskey
1 slice orange
1 maraschino cherry

Steps:

  • Pour the simple syrup, water, and bitters into a whiskey glass. Stir to combine, then place the ice cubes in the glass. Pour bourbon over the ice and garnish with the orange slice and maraschino cherry.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 145 calories, Carbohydrate 9.5 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 0 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 0.1 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 7.5 mg, Sugar 1.3 g

CLAM BAKE



Clam Bake image

Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h5m

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

10 ears corn
200 middleneck clams
6 fresno chiles
6 jalapeno chiles
1 head garlic
2 red onions, sliced
100 PEI mussels
2 tablespoons coriander seed
2 tablespoons cumin seed
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 tablespoons kosher salt
4 red peppers, chopped
3 pounds smoked sausage, in casings
1 bottle white wine
Water, to cover

Steps:

  • Place all ingredients in large pasta pot with a strainer and simmer until clams open and the corn is tender. Strain liquid and dump ingredients onto a large table for a great festive feast.

CLAM BAKE



Clam Bake image

This is the most fun you can have with your seafood. It started with the idea of a fun get-together clam bake then took off with a life of its own. This recipe is a general guide. Have fun, mix and match your favorite seafood. I would ask your fish monger what is fresh, and then decide what seafood to add. I've even added a whole octopus before. Serve with a nice white wine, turn on some music and have fun. Great outdoor meal.

Provided by DENISEK1

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Seafood Main Dish Recipes     Clams

Time 1h5m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

8 medium red potatoes, scrubbed
1 pound clams in shell, scrubbed
1 pound mussels, cleaned and debearded
½ pound unpeeled large shrimp
1 (48 fluid ounce) can chicken broth
¼ cup dry vermouth
1 ½ cups butter, divided
1 loaf French bread

Steps:

  • Place a potatoes in a layer in the bottom of a large pot. Cover with a layer of clams, then mussels, and finally the shrimp. Pour in the vermouth and enough chicken broth to fill the pot halfway. You may not need all of the broth, depending on the size of your pot. Cut a half cup of the butter into cubes and place on top of the seafood. Cover with a lid, and seal tightly with aluminum foil.
  • Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for 45 minutes. Remove from the heat, and carefully remove the foil and lid. Remove the seafood and potatoes from the liquid and serve on a large platter, family-style.
  • Melt 1/2 cup of reserved butter, and divide into 4 individual dishes for dipping. Serve with French bread and remaining softened butter for the bread.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1383.3 calories, Carbohydrate 137.4 g, Cholesterol 294.4 mg, Fat 74.1 g, Fiber 10 g, Protein 41.6 g, SaturatedFat 44.7 g, Sodium 3133 mg, Sugar 10.8 g

STOVETOP CLAMBAKE



Stovetop Clambake image

Lobster, clams, shrimp, and chorizo star in this classic clambake that cooks indoors on the stovetop in a large stockpot. Adding the ingredients in the right order is the secret to this recipe's success; the ones that take longest to cook go in first-and the whole meal is ready in just over half an hour.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Pork Recipes

Yield Serves 6 to 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 large or 3 medium onions, cut into large wedges
6 garlic cloves
1 bottle pale ale or medium-bodied beer
1 cup water
Fresh seaweed, well rinsed, for layering (optional)
1 1/2 pounds small new potatoes (white, red, or a combination)
1 pound hot dried chorizo, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Coarse salt
3 lobsters (1 1/2 pounds each)
36 littleneck clams, scrubbed well
4 ears of corn, husked and halved
2 pounds mussels, debearded and scrubbed well
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp (about 30), shell-on
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional)
2 lemons, halved

Steps:

  • Combine onions, garlic, pale ale, and water in a 16-quart stockpot. Cover with a layer of seaweed (or place a steamer basket on top of onions). Add potatoes, chorizo, and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil. Add lobsters; cook over high heat, covered, for 15 minutes. Add clams and corn; cook, covered, for 6 minutes. Add mussels and shrimp; cook, covered, until clams and mussels open and shrimp are cooked through, 4 to 8 minutes.
  • Remove seafood, corn, potatoes, and chorizo using tongs, and transfer to large platters or rimmed baking sheets. Discard seaweed and any unopened clams and mussels. Strain liquid through a sieve into a bowl; add butter, swirling to melt. Squeeze lemons over clambake.

Tips:

  • Choose fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your clambake.
  • Use a variety of seafood. Clams, mussels, shrimp, lobster, and crab are all popular choices.
  • Don't overcook the seafood. Seafood cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it.
  • Serve the clambake with plenty of butter, lemon juice, and drawn butter. These condiments will help to enhance the flavor of the seafood.
  • Enjoy the clambake with friends and family. Clambakes are a great way to gather with loved ones and enjoy a delicious meal.

Conclusion:

A clambake is a delicious and festive way to enjoy seafood. With a little planning and effort, you can easily create your own clambake at home. Just follow the tips above and you'll be sure to have a successful clambake.

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