People love purple varnish clams because of their tender texture, natural sweetness, rich taste, and sources of nutrients. Moreover, they are suitable for many different recipes.
How do you cook your clams? This article will recommend a purple varnish clams recipe that yields a fantastic outcome. Interestingly, you can prepare it in only five steps. So let’s dive in and try it now!
Table of Contents
Purple Varnish Clams Recipe
There are five steps to cook purple varnish clams. We also share some pro tips in each step to help you achieve the best result.
One of the most crucial parts of this recipe is high-quality ingredients. You should only buy clams with tightly closed shells. Cracked or broken shells are signs of bad clams.
The smell is another thing to check. Fresh clams should have an ocean-like smell. And if you detect a foul smell, the clams may have gone bad.
After choosing the fresh clams, let’s follow these step-by-step instructions!
Step 1: Clean the Clams
Cleaning the clams is important to remove any grit and sand inside the shells.
You must first eliminate the loose debris by putting the clams in a colander and rinsing them under running water.
Next, add the clams to a bowl filled with cold water. You also need to add cornmeal to help remove the remaining sand inside the clams.
Soak the clams in the bowl for 30 minutes to two hours. After that, use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the shells.
Finally, rinse them under running water again. Remember to get rid of broken, cracked, and open clams.
Step 2: Cook the Clams with Garlic and Wine
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once the butter melts, you can add minced garlic to the skillet and stir until fragrant. It may take about one minute.
Then, add white wine to the skillet. The acidic flavor of wine can pair perfectly with the sweet flavor of the purple varnish clams. It also helps balance the moisture released from the clams when cooking, establishing a flavorful steam.
Chicken broth can be a good alternative if you don’t have white wine at hand. Its rich, savory flavor will complement the natural aroma of the clams nicely.
Then, add the clams to the skillet. Remember to close the lid lightly to retain the flavorful steam.
Step 3: Cook the Clams until They Have Opened
Cook your clams in the whine for five to seven minutes or until they have opened. There can be some clams that don’t open, and you should throw them away.
Step 4: Season the Cooking Liquid
The wine, garlic, butter, and clams are already good to taste. Yet, you also need to add pepper and salt to finish your dish.
Step 5: Serve Your Dish
Transfer the clams and the broth to a bowl. Then, sprinkle some chopped parsley on top.
Your dish is ready to serve now. It goes best with crusty bread. To bring out the best of this combination, you should soak the bread on the side to absorb the flavorful broth.
Can You Cook Purple Varnish Clams without Shells?
You’d better cook purple varnish clams with shells because it will help protect the meat and add flavor to your dish. Once cooked, the shell will become loose, making it easy to remove.
However, you can still cook the clams without the shell. In fact, many recipes call for peeled purple varnish clams, such as:
- Shucked clams: These ingredients are perfect for pasta, stews, and soups.
- Fried clam strips: You can cut the meat into small strips, dip them in batter, and fry them. Then, you will have a tasty snack.
So, both purple varnish clams with or without shells are good to eat. Your decision will depend on the recipe you follow.
Other Recipes with Purple Varnish Clams
We have shared with you a super easy purple varnish clams recipe. But if you want to test your cooking skills with other recipes, the following ideas will be what you need.
Purple Varnish Clam Chowder
Purple varnish clam chowder is similar to the recipe we discussed in this post. However, it requires more ingredients and steps.
Baked Purple Varnish Clams
Baking is one of the best cooking methods when it comes to seafood. The instructions are as follows:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Mix cheese, minced garlic, pepper, salt, and olive oil in a mixing bowl.
- Arrange the clams on a baking sheet.
- Bake the clams for about 10 to 12 minutes.
This video will share some tips to remove the shell and bake your peeled clams:
Conclusion
There are only five steps to prepare delicious purple varnish clams. So try to choose fresh clams and stick to your recipe. Then, you will have an excellent dish to renew your menu.
If you want to try more recipes, follow our blog! Also, practice every day to sharpen your skills. That’s how we grow as skilled chefs.
Thank you for reading!
Purple Varnish Clams Broth
Equipment
- 1 colander
- 1 skillet
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of purple varnish clams
- 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup of white wine or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt
- Pepper
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Clean the clams thoroughly.
- Melt butter in a skillet.
- Add garlic to the skillet and stir until fragrant.
- Add white wine and clams to the skillet, then cook until they open.
- Taste the broth with salt and pepper.
- Transfer the clams and broth to a bowl.
- Put chopped parsley on top.
- Serve your fish with crusty bread.
Notes
- Calories: 170
- Fat: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
- Sodium: 280 mg
