Steaming and baking are two popular cooking methods for razor clams. But have you ever tried smoking them? Believe us, and the outcome will be satisfactory.
If you are curious about its flavor, the step-by-step smoked razor clams recipe below will be what you want. Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
Smoked Razor Clams Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions
Smoked razor clams are a tasty delicacy. You can also get a range of health benefits from eating this nutritious food.
Another benefit of smoked razor clams is that you can easily prepare them in simple steps. Follow this guide and learn some tips to serve yourself a nice treat.
Step 1: Clean the Clams
Wash the exterior of the razor clams to get rid of dirt and debris. Then, soak them in cold, salted water for about two to three hours.
At this stage, observe the clams in the water. You need to discard clams with open shells or broken shells. Remove those that float on the water’s surface, too.
Next, steam the remaining clams until their shells open. Then, remove the flesh and put it all in a colander.
You also need to cut the flesh lengthwise to reveal its interior, which may contain dirty parts, especially those caught in the siphon.
You may use frozen, store-bought clam meat for this recipe. In this case, rinse the meat in cold water and steam them for around 30 minutes.
After that, rinse your steamed clam meat in cold water again. Repeat this step until you don’t see any sand or debris in the bottom of the pan.
Related: How to freeze razor clams
Step 2: Combine the Ingredients
To make the seasoning mixture, you need several ingredients. The best combination depends on your taste. But if it’s your first time making smoked razor clams, consider the following ingredients:
- Minced garlic
- Dried basil
- Dried oregano
- Olive oil
- Chili powder
- Lime juice
- Soy sauce
- Minced ginger
- Honey
Marinate the clam meat with the ingredients above. Then, refrigerate it overnight. Remember to stir the meat occasionally during this curing time.
Step 3: Smoke the Clams
On the next day, drain the meat in a colander and place it in a smoking basket. It’s time to dry your meat.
You should dry the clams at 140°F for about one hour or until the meat doesn’t look damp.
Do not apply smoke at this step. Instead, agitate the meat to ensure that all surfaces can dry evenly.
Once the meat turns dry, stop applying auxiliary heat. Now, cold smoke it for about one to two hours. This process involves smoking at low temperatures.
You’ve finished smoking your razor clams once the meat is golden-brown.
Read more: How to cook razor clams Chinese style
How to Choose Fresh Razor Clams
Choosing fresh razor clams is essential to yielding an impressive outcome. You will get what you need with the following tips:
Appearance
Fresh razor clams have their flesh extrude from the shell and move lively. If the clams you see stay motionless, they may have died.
Smell
Fresh razor clams have an ocean-like smell. Hence, avoid those with a foul or fishy odor. It’s a sign of spoilage.
Texture
Touch the clams to test their texture. It should be firm and springy. Meanwhile, spoiled clams will feel slimy or mushy.
Size
It would be best to choose the same size to cook them evenly. Your dish won’t be flavorful if the clams are too big or small.
What to Serve with Smoked Razor Clams
Your smoked razor clams are ready to serve. They will taste best when paired with the proper dishes. For example:
Salad
Since smoked clams are rich in protein, you need vegetables and fruits to balance the nutrients. The best ideas are:
- Potato salad: The ingredients in this salad are red potatoes, dill pickles, sweet relish, and yellow onion.
- Green bean salad: The green beans and watermelon radish will complement your smoked razor clams nicely.
- Creamy pasta salad: This classic and simple side dish can go with the clams thanks to the yellow onion, fusilli pasta, and sweet relish.
Cheesy Rice
If the lengthy smoking period of the smoked razor clams has exhausted you, pair it with cheesy rice. You can prepare it in only 20 minutes.
The ingredients include rice, whole milk, kosher salt, pepper, all-purpose flour, and grated nutmeg. They will work together to give you a perfect treat for your summer.
Conclusion
There are only three steps to prepare delicious smoked razor clams. However, smoking is a long process, so you must be patient while waiting for food.
Hopefully, this smoked razor clams recipe will give you an excellent idea for your next meal. Don’t forget to share your experience with your food.
Thank you for reading!
Smoked Razor Clams
Equipment
- 1 cold smoker
- 1 smoking basket
- 1 colander
Ingredients
- 1 pound razor clams
- 1 clove of garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 lime, juice
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Wash the razor clams to eliminate sand and debris.
- Soak the clams in cold, salted water for two to three hours.
- Steam the clams and remove the meat. Then put it in a colander.
- Rinse the meat to get rid of the remaining dirt.
- Make the seasoning mixture.
- Marinate the meat in the seasoning mixture overnight and place it in the refrigerator.
- Dry the clams in the smoker at 140°F for one hour.
- Continue to cold smoke for one to two hours.
- The meat is ready to eat when it turns golden brown.
Notes
- Calories: 162
- Total Fat: 8.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Cholesterol: 39 mg
- Sodium: 522 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 6.9 g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.5 g
- Total Sugars: 1.9 g
- Protein: 15.2 g
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