New England Clam Bake
A New England Clam Bake or even Clam Bake is in the US New England a traditional preparation method of shellfish . In an earth oven on the beach there are lobster , mussels , Sandklaff- and clams and crabs cooked. It is essential to add moist seaweed . In addition to the shellfish, vegetables such as onions, carrots and corn are also often cooked. Clam bakes are often held at parties or festivals.
method
A typical clam bake begins by collecting seaweed and dry driftwood. Mostly used as tang knot tang . For the preparation of the shellfish it is essential that this seaweed remains very wet. Medium-sized stones are then heated directly in a fire. For this purpose, a shallow pit is dug directly on the beach, in which the fire is lit. The stones must get red-hot in this fire, and the fire must burn down so quickly that these stones have not cooled down when seaweed and shellfish are then piled up on them.
Once the fire has burned down, the ashes from the stones are swept into the spaces between the stones. The wet seaweed is placed directly on the stones, followed by the shellfish to be prepared. For large quantities of food to be prepared, several layers of seaweed and shellfish are required. Finally, the layered mixture of seaweed and shellfish is sealed with wet canvas. The cooking time extends over several hours.
Some communities on the New England coast do not allow clam bakes to be held directly on the beach. That is why they are occasionally held in backyards. Alternatively, the shellfish are steamed in a large saucepan. The term “New England Clam Boil” is usually used for this method of preparation.
classification
The use of hot stones or earth ovens to prepare food is a very old cooking method that preceded the use of cookware in the preparation of food. American cuisine uses hot stones and earth ovens for traditional occasions and not just for the New England Clam Bake. The Hawaiian lūʻau also uses an earth oven called Imu , in which pork is cooked.
literature
- Bee Wilson : Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat . Penguin Books, London 2013, ISBN 978-0-14-104908-3 .
Single receipts
- ^ A b Entertaining.about.com: " Invite Your Friends to a New England Clambake ". Accessed July 2011.
- ^ Bee Wilson : Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat . Penguin Books, London 2013, ISBN 978-0-14-104908-3 . P. 28