Fried Clams To Die For

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , /by

Clams

There are fried clams and then there are fried clams!!  This past week I attended a conference in Freeport, ME.  I asked at the Harraseeket Inn where we were staying who had the best fried clams in the area where the locals ate.  I was told it was the Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster on Casco Bay. The weather was quite lovely on the evening we went. The lobster shack was like so many other lobster and clam shacks along the coast of New England. Visitors had the choice of dining in or out, but since there was quite a breeze we decided to eat in the dining room which was simple and immaculate.

Harraseeket_home2_r1_c3

At the window we ordered fried clams and learned you could have them with a choice of batters, crumbs or batter. My friend and I went with the crumbs and it was an excellent choice. The clams with the batter option would have been more batter than clams in my humble opinion. The fried clams with the crumbs were light with just the right amount of batter. One could actually enjoy the taste of the clams. It didn’t hurt that these were most likely the freshest clams I have ever eaten. Literally right off the boat! The order came with fries which were hot and crispy and the order was large enough for the two of us to share one order.

Batter choice

Crab Cakes

As an appetizer, we tried the crab cakes.  Again they were made with Maine crabs and were light and absolutely delicious. If you are heading to Maine this summer, it is a mere 3 miles from L L Bean on Main Street. Just head down Bow St (right across from the main entrance), take a right on South and continue until you see the sign for Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster right on Casco Bay.

Clam Cakes

Fried Clams at Janine’s in Ware, MA

Believe or not, Janine’s in Ware, MA serves delicious fried clams and an excellent lobster roll.  Whenever I have had their fried clams I have requested a light dusting of flour which make them similar to those at Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster.

Fried Clam Recipe from Woodman’s in Essex, MA

For the recipe from the inventor of the fried clam, check out our blog at http://tasteandtales.com/books/chubby-and-the-clam/.

 

Best View of Nauset Beach

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

Ocean from Nauset KnollImagine waking up in the morning and looking out and seeing this view of the Atlantic Ocean from all 12 rooms at the Nauset Knoll Motor Lodge in Orleans, MA.  In June I make my annual tour around Cape Cod with the cookbooks and since I changed my usual route I needed to stay further out the Cape and since I wanted to see water, I located this motor lodge built in the 50s. Fortunately, someone had cancelled and I was lucky enough to get room.

I had heard about the “Best Onion Rings” in the world were at Liam’s at Nauset Beach which was on the other side of the shrubs so I made sure I would get there by 4 p.m. However, the wind was blowing as you can see by the flag and the weather was headed downhill.  I had to literally hold on to my hat when I signed in.  Instead of walking down I drove and the young man at the booth let me through as there was literally no cars in the parking lot and Liam’s was closed.  The only vehicle in the parking lot was a satellite truck from a TV station in Boston who I guess thought that the shark (named Freckles) lurking off-shore was going to come in for an interview.nausetknoll windmill

Since Liam’s wasn’t open and I wanted my annual meal of whole belly clams, I headed to Sir Cricket in Orleans.  They have been voted best on the Cape several times. Dinner was quite tasty, but I regret not being able to have those from Liam’s.

Below is a recipe telling how you can steam a lobster at home.  Recipe is courtesy of Sir Crickets.

How to Steam the Perfect Lobster

Fill a large pan with 1-2 inches of water, and bring it to a boil.
Place the lobster(s) in the pan*, and cover.
Keep the flame on high, and when it begins to steam, start your timer!
– 12-15 minutes for 1¼-1½ pounders
– 20 minutes for 1½-2 pounders
– 25 minutes for 2-3 pounders

*If this makes you squeamish, place the lobsters in the freezer for a minute to stun them before steaming!

Great Food at Blue Marlin in Essex, MA

/0 Comments/in , , , , , /by

Blue Marlin ImageFriday evening, I was visiting friends in Gloucester when we decided to go out to dinner.  The original choice was the Windward Grille, but since we didn’t have a reservation we would have had to wait over an hour.  Decided instead to go up the road a piece and dine at the Blue Marlin Grille on Rt. 133.  We all started out with Clam Chowder and I must admit it was delicious.  Could actually stand my spoon up, it was so thick with clams and potatoes.  Told it won the Chowder contest at the Essex ClamFest.  We all had something different, I did Surf and Turf with baked shrimp and tenderloin tips – excellent.  Our waitress was great and considering it was graduation night and the restaurant was packed, everything arrived perfectly. Must also state they had excellent cole slaw – just right. You can have a peek at these guys if you have the idea of opening up a new restaurant of this franchise around your locality.

Clams and Essex are synonymous.  Nearly 100 years ago at Woodman’s a mile or so down the road, Chubby Woodman in response to a dare, fried a few clams and an instant hit occurred.  On July 4, 1916, Chubby and his wife Bessie, presented his Fried Clams to the residents of Essex during the parade.  People across New England are always looking for the best Fried Clam. Personally, I don’t like a lot of batter, but others do.  Be prepared for long lines.

Chubby and Bessie’s Fried Clams

26 ounces whole belly clams
12 ounces evaporated milk
4 cups corn flour
Lard (Crisco can be used). Do not use olive oil.

Fried Clams

  1. 1.   In a 4 quart saucepan, melt 2 3/4 pounds lard or vegetable oil to a depth of 2-inches in the pan. Heat to 350 degrees F. Using two bowls, pour evaporated milk into one, and corn flour into the other. In small batches put   the clams in a hand-held strainer, and submerge into the bowl of evaporated milk to coat. Remove the strainer from the bowl and shake off the excess milk.  Next dredge the clams until they are well covered with corn flour (you may want to use a clean dry hand-held strainer to shake off the excess flour).
  2. Carefully place the clams into hot lard or oil. Be careful, because lard will spatter.  Cook in small batches, turning to cook both sides, until they are golden brown.  Using a slotted scoop remove from oil. Shake gently to remove excess oil. The clams will take approximately 1 1/2 minutes to cook. The color is the most important. They should be a golden brown.  Serves 8 (appetizer-sized servings).

For those few who have never been to Woodman’s, the restaurant is located on Main Street (Rt. 133), Essex, MA.
Courtesy of Woodman’s of Essex — Five Generations of Stories, 100 Years of Recipes

Recipes from Taste and Tales of Coastal New England

CNE Front Only

Introducing new website

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Today, begins a new era with this beautiful website designed by Erin Sweeney.  It is crisp in its design, fresh looking and easy to use.   Though the years you might say I’ve had a bit of an identity crisis.  While the books are published by Bass Pond Press, customers do not connect the name with the books.  To be more confusing the name of Phoebe’s Kitchen is also connected to the books.  This past fall when I was at the Harvest Festival in Rockport, a woman said to me, “Oh, you are the author of the taste and tales series.”  A light bulb went off, that is who we are.  From now on our blog will reflect not only on good food, but on tales about a restaurant, museum, city, etc and will have a recipe
 that goes along with it.MA front cover 6-08a

For instance, the two previous blogs talk about Woodman’s in Essex and introduces their new cookbook that celebrates their 100th anniversary, but also tells the history of Chubby and the fried clam. This recipe can be found in the Taste and Tales of Massachusetts.  The next one talks about Cortez Fishing Village in Bradenton, FL.  Though I have been going to and living in Florida since the early 70s, last year was the first time I had actually visited the village.  It is one of the last old Florida fishing villages left in the state, Cedar Key being another on the west coast of Florida.  While it does n0t have a recipe, I have to say it was the best cole slaw I have ever had at the Star Fish Market.  Wish I could get the recipe for it. I’ll try when I go this year.

 

 

Chubby and the Clam – Woodman’s celebrates 100 years

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , /by

6a012876db717c970c01a3fd11bc5d970b-320wi“The ubiquitous fried clam was invented on July 3, 1916 at Woodman’s in Essex. Whether on purpose or by accident, Lawrence “Chubby” Woodman dropped a clam or two into a fryer while he was making a batch of french fries and lo and behold, the fried clam was born. To true New Englanders, a fried clam must have the belly and they must be Ipswich clams; those small, yet ever so succulent, bivalves (shells consisting of two halves, or valves). The Ipswich clam is really a bivalve king, monarch of the mollusks. Dug from tidal flats along the Essex River, the clams must, by law, be taken only by a hand rake and not dredged.”  Taste and Tales of Massachusetts

On Sunday, I saw an article about a new cookbook, Woodman’s of Essex — Five Generations of Stories, 100 Years of Recipes.  Immediately e-mailed a fellow food, Heather Atwood of Gloucester, who said it was great.  It came today and has all the famous recipes that countless thousands have enjoyed throughout the years, but one!  I figured it would be the fried clam recipe and I was wrong, it is the fried onion recipe.  So whether it is Nannie Woodman’s, Lemon Pie or the great cole slaw, they are all here.

Chubby and Bessie’s Fried Clams

  • 26 ounces whole belly clams
  • 12 ounces evaporated milk
  • 4 cups corn flour
  • Lard (Crisco can be used). Do not use olive oil.

 

  1. In a 4 quart saucepan, melt 2 3/4 pounds lard or vegetable oil to a depth of 2-inches in the pan. Heat to 350 degrees F. Using two bowls, pour evaporated milk into one, and corn flour into the other. In small batches put the clams in a hand-held strainer, and submerge into the bowl of evaporated milk to coat. Remove the strainer from the bowl and shake off the excess milk.  Next dredge the clams until they are well covered with corn flour (you may want to use a clean dry hand-held strainer to shake off the excess flour).
  2. Carefully place the clams into hot lard or oil. Be careful, because lard will spatter.  Cook in small batches, turning to cook both sides, until they are golden brown.  Using a slotted scoop remove from oil. Shake gently to remove excess oil. The clams will take approximately 1 1/2 minutes to cook. The color is the most important. They should be a golden brown.  Serves 8 (appetizer-sized servings).

For those few who have never been to Woodman’s, the restaurant is located on Main Street (Rt. 133), Essex, MA.

Courtesy of Woodman’s of Essex — Five Generations of Stories, 100 Years of Recipes