Beer-Steamed Clams

Doesn’t beer-steaming sound like the most wonderful thing on Earth?

clams8-2

(But first, a quick apology at how blurry these photos are. It was pouring rain and my hair was on fire and I think my neurological system was experiencing some malfunctions.)

That said, I seriously think I could beer-steam everything ever. Beer-steamed chicken? Why not? Beer-steamed sushi? Sounds scandalous! Beer-steamed salads? Where’s the dotted line? Beer-steamed SAUNAS? A) I think that might have been a redundant double negative, but B) Who rightly cares? It sounds awesome. Oh and honestly, I don’t even know if the hyphen if necessary in all of that. It just makes me feel at peace.

But today, we’re gonna steam these little babies. Also, I’ll do my very best to NOT call them babies as I’m about to induce their beer-steamed demise.

Also #2, there’s a video at the end of this post, so don’t go anywhere. HOO HOO HAHHA HA HAHAAAAAA.

clams1-2  clams2-2

So this has a Mexican flair to it, with minced jalapeno peppers, a lot of garlic, cilantro and lime juice. Oh and a quick hear ye, hear ye: I left all of the seeds and ribs in the peppers, because I like my face to rain, but honestly, it wasn’t spicy at all. I think all the liquids in the steaming process maybe mellowed it all out. So if you’re on the heat fence about it, leave it all in! But also, I’ve heard that jalapeno pepper A can be way hotter than jalapeno pepper B, and that no one can ever truly know. So in other others, go with your gut. Your heat gut. Trust yourself, and only yourself. Your heat self.

Did I mention there’s a video at the end of this post?

clams3-2  clams4-2

I love steaming clams because you hear all the little pips and pops as their shells open up. And you get to go pearl hunting! I’m just kidding. Although I’m not lying when I say I thought I saw a pearl in one of these clams, and then realized it was just a beer bubble. And that I was also looking in the wrong animal.

You have to make this! Takes like 5 seconds to pull together (after the prep work) and then you get to sop all of that cilantro-y, garlicky, peppery beery broth with huge chunks of crusty bread. Serve them in one huge bowl for a date night, or divide them up into little bowls if you have guests over. Whatever you do, don’t clam up!

OHHHHHHH.

clams6-2

Oh.

Beer-Steamed Clams:

(inspired by Rick Bayless because I watched him make them on TV but I can’t find his recipe on his site, waaah):

What it took for 2 (for dinner) or 4 (for a snack):

* 2 pounds littleneck clams
* 2 Tbs. butter
* 1 large jalapeno pepper, minced (remove seeds for less heat)
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup beer
* 1 cup chicken stock
* 1/2 cup freshly chopped cilantro leaves
* juice of a lime

Keep the clams on ice until you’re ready to clean and cook. Oh we’re ready? Okay.

Dump the clams into a large bowl and cover with room temp water. Let sit for 20 minutes. Drain the water. (It’s going to be pretty sandy.) Add more water. Let ’em sit another 20. Drain the water. Add more water. Now, add 1/2 tsp salt and let sit for 20 more minutes. Drain the water. Give the clams a good scrub and set them aside.

Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat. Once the bubbling settles, add the jalapeno and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add the clams to the pan and pour in the beer and stock. Toss around for a second because you’re going to have the urge. Now, cover and let them steam anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, until they all pop open like little babies. (I tried.) (If any don’t open, discard them!)

Now, fish out the clams and arrange them in little bowls.

Back in the pan, add the cilantro and lime juice. Let simmer and reduce for about 5 minutes.

Pour the beery broth over the clams and baybaaaaaay.

Serve with crusty bread and a nice big green salad!

But you should know, sometimes things happen before you steam them. Case in point, this Vine video illustrates what unfortunately happened to me as I was cleaning them. Ouchie.

Clams Hurt, Dudes. (You have to click this link. I can’t figure out how to just get the video to play in here. of course)

 

 

, , , , ,

44 Responses to Beer-Steamed Clams

  1. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl March 14, 2013 at 7:58 am #
    Best vine video to date. Hey - do you want to grab a quick clam sauna after yoga later? Let me know.
  2. claire @ the realistic nutritionist March 14, 2013 at 7:58 am #
    photos aren't blurry crack head. and YUM!!!!!!
    • Lisa Robinson March 31, 2018 at 5:36 pm #
      Yes it sounds very good I would love to try it Lisa L Robinson
  3. Sarah B. March 14, 2013 at 8:09 am #
    Video = Such a nerd. I love it. ^_^ Wanna learn some Chinese? 啤酒蛤辣 (Spicy beer clams) Favourite dish EVAH!!!
    • Bev Weidner March 22, 2013 at 3:11 pm #
      Ooooo I have no idea what that means but I like it!
  4. Tieghan March 14, 2013 at 8:11 am #
    Wow, that video put a huge smile on my face! Brightened my morning! Beer steamed clams! Genius!
  5. Ali | Gimme Some Oven March 14, 2013 at 8:41 am #
    YUM! Love the Boulevard!
  6. Anne @The Cooking Campaign March 14, 2013 at 8:44 am #
    I'm slowly learning to love clams, I bet they're wonderful beer-steamed!
  7. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough March 14, 2013 at 8:47 am #
    So stinkin' funny, you. So stinkin' delicious, these. Love it all.
  8. Sheila March 14, 2013 at 8:50 am #
    MMMMmmm this is so something I would make if I could get fresh clams! Loved your vine on the clams, my 10 yr old watched it so many times I had to yank my phone from her. HA!
  9. Kelly March 14, 2013 at 9:31 am #
    Umm yes please??? :)
  10. Little Kitchie March 14, 2013 at 10:02 am #
    best video ever! beer steam me.
  11. Heather @ Heather's Dish March 14, 2013 at 10:11 am #
    I can't read this without dying laughing over your Vine video!
  12. Heather March 14, 2013 at 10:16 am #
    Your vine videos kill me haha.
  13. GingerMae March 14, 2013 at 10:38 am #
    Hilarious video aside, how much do you love that faucet?!
    • Bev Weidner March 14, 2013 at 10:52 am #
      Oh I loooooove the faucet. Home Depot, if you're in the market for one!
  14. Heather Christo March 14, 2013 at 11:21 am #
    Incredible!! I will be making these for dinner this weekend- they look perfect for a light dinner
  15. Cassie | Bake Your Day March 14, 2013 at 12:38 pm #
    You are hilarious. I can't quit watching!
  16. JulieD March 14, 2013 at 1:03 pm #
    OMG, awesome video!! You should upload it to youtube!! Laughing out loud. This recipe looks awesome!!
  17. Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence March 14, 2013 at 1:05 pm #
    Beer-steamed SAUNA. I'm in. While eating these clams :)
  18. Laurie {SimplyScratch} March 14, 2013 at 1:27 pm #
    Bev you couldn't take a bad picture even if you wanted to! Annnnd beer steaming sounds amazing, so these will be happening asap!
  19. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel March 14, 2013 at 3:28 pm #
    Your video for this - seriously hilarious.
  20. Jackie @ The Beeroness March 14, 2013 at 3:48 pm #
    Yaaaaaay! Beer steamed clams have been in my head a while but I haven't done it yet. I'm just going to go to your house and force you to make me some.
  21. Amanda March 14, 2013 at 5:18 pm #
    Love the vid! lol!
  22. Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama March 15, 2013 at 7:49 am #
    We steam them in white wine all the time. Never occurred to me to use beer! Such a great idea. And seriously... these pictures are fab as always. And love the video.
  23. Shanna@ pineapple and coconut March 15, 2013 at 2:48 pm #
    Ha!! Love the video!! This recipe looks amazing I love steamer clams and so does my husband and hes a huge fan of beer - totally going to be making this soon!!!
  24. Katie @ Blonde Ambition March 15, 2013 at 10:10 pm #
    Hahaha, I just watched that video like 3 times and laughed each time. On another note, this broth sounds amaazing.
  25. Leah March 16, 2013 at 12:04 am #
    Keep looking, maybe you'll find a pearl. I've found two, about the size of a plastic topped sewing pin, in said clams! Someday I'm going to have them mounted in jewelry..... because I can ;)
    • Bev Weidner March 16, 2013 at 8:29 am #
      Oh no way, you did!? That's it. I'm going hunting.
  26. get a free iphone 5c April 24, 2014 at 4:02 pm #
    Hello there. Simply needed to consult a simple problem. I am just piecing together my weblog along with would want to realize exactly where you got ones style? Ended up being this free of charge? Or ended up being that paid out? I am unable to appear to uncover whatever as effective as this place, consequently ideally you possibly can i want to understand. Many thanks. PS, my i'm sorry. Uk seriously isn't my own 1st words.
  27. Elizabeth May 27, 2015 at 1:36 pm #
    Found the site/link for your Rick Bayless recipe... http://www.rickbayless.com/recipe/warm-clam-ceviche/
  28. Tammy Robinson September 26, 2016 at 8:25 pm #
    Hahahah, that video was super funny......gonna try this recipe this wknd, looks delicious......Thanks

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Cheap Cookware & Delicious Recipes » How to Cook Clams - April 3, 2013 [...] Beer-Steamed Clams | Bev Cooks [...]
  2. Summer Nautical Bridal Shower Inspiration from Ultimate Bridesmaid — Trueblu - July 22, 2013 [...] Beer Steamed Clams via Bev Cooks [...]
  3. Manhattan Clam Chowder Recipe | Manhattan Clam Chowder | Eat the Love - April 22, 2014 […] If you like this Manhattan clam chowder recipe, check out some of these other clam recipes from around the web: Savory Sweet Life’s Red Curry, Coconut and Ginger Infused Steamed Clams Chef Dennis’ Linguine with Clams Leite’s Culinaria’s Clam Shack Fried Clams Recipe Girl’s How to Grill Clams Bev Cook’s Beer-Steamed Clams […]
  4. Beer-Steamed Clams | Head Over Beers - June 24, 2014 […] could do better. I went in search of a recipe for steamed clams and found something even better – Beer-steamed Clams from Bev […]
  5. Hooray for International Beer Day! | Kyaru (and Bunnies) - August 21, 2015 […] Let’s kick it off with starters: These sinfully crunchy onion rings coated with beer batter, paired with some delicately steamed shellfish. How are they steamed, you ask? Why, with beer! […]
  6. 11 Flavorful Recipes for Every Craft Beer Lover - October 11, 2016 […] 10. Beer-Steamed ClamsThe wealthy aroma of this Southwestern plate is certain to have your family and friends beckoning to a kitchen. A citrusy dark ale or even a green is a ideal bottom for a clam broth, that gets infused with jalapenos, garlic, cilantro, orange extract and duck stock. For a light dinner, offer with some crusty sourdough bread and a green salad. Photo and recipe: Bev Weidner / Bev Cooks […]
  7. 40 Seafood Recipes for Lent - Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen - November 18, 2017 […] Beer Steamed Clams from Bev Cooks […]
  8. Sweet Potato and Corn Clam Chowder - November 15, 2018 […] Beer Steamed Clams from Bev Cooks […]
  9. 11 Flavorful Recipes for Each Craft Beer Lover – EggVibe - March 1, 2022 […] 10. Beer-Steamed Clams The luxurious aroma of this Southwestern dish is bound to have your loved ones and associates beckoning to the kitchen. A citrusy pale ale or perhaps a bitter is the proper base for the clam broth, which will get infused with jalapenos, garlic, cilantro, lime juice and hen inventory. For a light-weight dinner, serve with some crusty sourdough bread and a inexperienced salad. Photograph and recipe: Bev Weidner / Bev Cooks […]
  10. 31 Seriously Good Clam Recipes - Quick Telecast - March 22, 2023 […] Get the recipe: Beer-Steamed Clams […]

Leave a Reply