Host a Delicious Summer Clambake
Tired of the traditional hotdog and hamburger cookout? Host a clambake and bring together friends and family for a delicious summertime tradition.
To create the scene of a traditional New England clambake, set your tables with simple red and white checkered table clothes. These tablecloths are quick and easy to clean up after all the eating and fun too! You can also bring the beach to your backyard by decorating the tables with seashells and hang nets from the ceiling (or trees) filled with plastic fish, crabs and starfish.
To cook the live lobsters and clams, you’re going to need a large pot, a steamer basket, and some salt. Pour water into the pot and bring to a boil. For every quart of water, add about 1 tablespoon of salt. Once the water is boiling, add the lobsters and steamer basket to the pot.
One-pounder lobsters should be cooked for about 12 minutes and a pound and a half lobsters should be cooked for about 15 minutes. Check the pot periodically to make sure that all of the water has not boiled off and add more water while the lobsters are cooking if needed. To test if the lobsters are cooked, break open a small leg and check the lobster meat.
Great sides for your clambake include corn on the cob, oven-roasted potatoes, watermelon slices, and New England clam chowder.
Here's another handy tip: Have bowls ready on the tables for guests to put their lobster and clam shells into. After that, just crack open, eat, and enjoy!
Enjoy Planning.
Penelope