Raw Clam Lovers

[crosby_p]

If you love raw clams, listen up. I went to Conrad's Crabs on Joppa Road yesterday for salmon, and found they had 3 different sizes of clams for $4.99 a dozen. I (unlike most I think) love the REALLY BIG ones...the kind you use in chowder, raw. I bought a dozen along with some of their tomato, cucumber and onion salad, and went home with a feast! I could only open 5 of the clams with my special super duper clam ram tool...I just wasn't strong enough to open the others, so I steamed them. (if you do buy the larger ones and don't have a special knife, you might be in for trouble trying to open them) I usually put fresh ground black pepper and a drop or two of red wine vinegar on raw clams, but these were so delicious I didn't use anything! Very sweet, but briny all the same! As soon as the steamed clams opened I took them out of their shell and cut them (about 3 bites each!) and dipped them in some clarified butter. The salad was fresh and tasty, with good red tomatoes (wonder where they got em this time of year?) I had a glass of white wine with it all. So for about $8.00, not including wine, I was a very happy camper!

[hon]

The Superfresh in Hampden on 41st usually has a couple of sizes of clams for $4.99 a dz and sometimes on sale for $3.99 a dz. That said, I love Conrads, the crabs are great, they have chesapeake oysters for $5.99 a dz, fresh fish whats not to love!

[JonParker]

Ah, crosby, you are my hero. Where do you get a special super duper clam ram tool? I have always been a firm believer in paying someone else to do my shucking for me, but I'm willing to change.

[crosby_p]

JonParker...we DO seem to like the same foods don't we? I originally got a clam ram from a little truck that sold fish in Glen Head NY when I was in high school...but since I've moved to Baltimore, and all my things are still in Florida (blame the real estate market) I found one online here.... http://www.diggerschoice-seafood.com/...
It is an amazing tool that opens clams in a heartbeat! Wish I could find something as easy for oysters...
Wanna bet they move this to Cookware???

[Hal Laurent]

How does that Clam Ram work?

[crosby_p]

It is hinged...has a knife on one side, and a sort of hook shaped like the bottom of the clam on the other. You rest the back side of the clam in the hook, and bring the knife down where the shell opens. press down with the knife end and wiggle, and it cuts the muscles. Then you scrape the clam away from the shell with the knife...ingenious...wish I had thought of it!

[4X4]

Alton Brown uses a butter knife to shuck clams.

[JonParker]

Dang, now I want clams. And oysters. I'll order one of those, but I too am curious to know how it works.

[Hal Laurent]

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to make spaghetti with clam sauce this weekend.

[JonParker]

I'm a horrible cook, but I will probably hit a happy hour for oysters or clams tonight.

Is there a good clam happy hour in Baltimore?

[hon]

I know that Mamas does 6 Chincoteagues for 6 bucks during Happy Hour but don't think there is a clam discount although they do do clams on the half shell. Ryleighs has an oyster happy hour too but I don't think they have raw clams.
Theres always Cross Street Market...

[crosby_p]

if you go to the site and enlarge the picture, it's easier to see how it is done.