Clam bake ideas

[spankswife]

I think we'd like to do a clam bake for 4th of July, 8-10 ppl.

Help me brainstorm a menu and ideas/recipes.

Thanks!

[livinitup]

Do you have access to bake outside (like on the beach) or is this going to be in a typcial kitchen?

[spankswife]

I actually have a turkey fryer that has a basket, so basically a huge pot hooked to a propane tank. I was planning on using that.

[livinitup]

That seems like a good cooking option for lobsters (if you can fill/boil water). I'd also figure out a way to cook:
- Corn on the Cob
- Baked clams
- Boiled potatoes
- Clam Chowder

And/or serve cold:
- Mac/Potato Salad
- Clams on the Half shell
- Tomato/Cucumber Salad
- Cole Slaw

[magdala9]

I lived on the ocean growing up and never remember boiled potatoes at a clam bake. Gram held three or four every summer.

For the corn on the cob, remove the silk without tearing the leaves off. Brush the kernels with honey butter and wrap the leaves back around the kernels then roast on the grill. Yum!

Bruschetta was another addition. Slice a loaf of Italian bread, length wise. Brush with olive oil. Mix together 3-4 cloves of garlic chopped superfine, 1 cup grated parmesan, 5-8 seeded chopped tomatoes and 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley. Put the the two halves back together, wrap with foil and put on the grill and let the flavors all meld together.

Melon salad was another addition that we loved. Cube honeydew, watermelon and cantaloupe. Pour a can of ginger ale over the salad and mix in well.

[trixie459]

I love Ina Garten's kitchen clambake recipe:

www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/kitchen-clambake-recipe/index.html