Fried Clams To Die For
- At May 24, 2016
- By Ann Pieroway
- In Clams, Crabmeat, Food and Drink, Inns, Maine, Massachusetts, Recipes, Restaurants, Seafood
0
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.
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.
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.
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
- At July 13, 2015
- By Ann Pieroway
- In Cape Cod, Clams, Food and Drink, Massachusetts, Recipes, Seafood
0
Imagine 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.
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!
Introducing new website
- At February 09, 2015
- By Ann Pieroway
- In Clams, Florida, Massachusetts, Seafood
0
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.
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.
Cortez Fishing Village’s Star Fish Market
- At January 12, 2015
- By Ann Pieroway
- In Chowders, Crabmeat, Florida, Food and Drink, Seafood
0
Cortez village is one of the last remaining fishing villages on Florida’s southwest Gulf coast. The area was originally settled In the 1880s by families from the southern edge of the Outer Banks in North Carolina who came to the area known then as Hunter’s Point to escape the Atlantic hurricanes. Records indicate that by 1887, Cortez was a thriving fishing village with a store and school. A hurricane in 1921 destroyed virtually all the buildings, but the residents, in true Florida fashion rebuilt.
Many of the descendants still live in the village. The residents called the eastern shore of Sarasota Bay south of the village “The Kitchen” as its wealth of fish, scallops, and other seafood made it possible for them to feed their families in hard time.
The Village comprises homes, stores, marinas, and restaurants. I have been hearing about the village for decades, but finally decided to explore some of it this year.
My neighbor was celebrating her 87 birthday and I decided we needed to have lunch at the Star Fish Market. We arrived around 11:45 a.m. figuring we were ahead of the lunch crowd – wrong!! I stood in line for 45 minutes to place our order and then waited another 30 for the meal to be delivered in a white box. Nobody complained about the wait because the meal was well worth it.
I had my usual, grilled grouper from the best flat top grill in the area and the birthday girl had crab cakes. This was by far the freshest grouper I have ever had, most likely caught within 24 hours. The meals come with fries, hush puppies and the absolutely very best cole slaw I’ve ever had. They chop the slaw into small pieces and it had a wonderful flavor. I took home a Stone Crab and Corn Chowder and more slaw to have the next evening. There was enough to serve 3 of us.
Seating on the dock watching all the activity was fun. Seems that the waters off the docks are the home to a flock of white pelicans. I have spent years trying to add this bird to my life list, but have never located them in the area. Imagine my surprise when I look out and there they are. While eating a pod o f dolphins also swam by.
So the next time you are visiting the west coast of Florida stop by and grab a bite. Also in February they also have the Cortez Fishing Village Festival which attracted 25,000 attendees this year.