Classic Clambake - How To
How to host the perfect clambake in your backyard is easier than it seems and it is sure to ‘wow’ your guests and transport them to the East Coast. Clams, lobsters, corn, Old Bay spice, butter, and iced up beverages is all you need for a fabulous time and tasty bites.
While food is the MOST important part of any party, the ambiance should never take second fiddle, so we are going to layout everything you need, to throw the perfect clambake including shopping lists for the grocery story, table decor, and how to grill it all up!
Drinks
Champagne
Beer
Rosé
Pellegrino
San Pellegrino Aranciata
Ice water
Food
Clams
Lobsters
Fresh produce
Corn
Asparagus
Melted butter
Lemons
Old Bay seasoning
Sausage
Decor
Clambakes are messy by nature and we would hate for you to ruin a beautiful tablecloth! For clambakes, we love ordering the classic red gingham tablecloths off of Amazon that are disposable and then when the feast is over you can just roll it up and throw it away. We also believe a table is never complete without flowers so while you are at the grocery store or the market, pick up a bouquet of the best looking flowers that day and arrange them on your table.
*Pro tip-at the end of the evening throw your garbage bags into the bin outside so you don’t wake up to your kitchen smelling of shellfish in the morning.*
How to Cook (The Easy Way!)
Call your local seafood shop and place an order for steamed cracked lobsters, one for each guest, and then maybe two or three extra just in case. When possible, it is so much easier to purchase already steamed and cracked lobsters verses cooking and breaking them yourself! (Your guests never have to know. But if they did, they wouldn’t blame you!)
While at the seafood shop, ask for uncooked clams (They should be on a bed of ice and completely closed!) Rule of thumb at my house is 10 to a dozen per guest.
Once back home, turn on the grill and get grilling! Our grill is on our outdoor patio making it great for when we are hosting so you can work the grill while still mingling with friends.
Throw the clams on the grill. You will know once they are done when the shell has opened up wide.
Melt butter in a side pot for dipping. We also like to add lemon and pepper for some extra zest!
If you are eating sausage, you can place the sausage links onto the grill and cook until nice and brown.
Once the clams and sausage are all cooked and removed from the grill, throw the veggies on and grill them up as well, including the corn!
Your feast is now ready to serve!
Place a steamed lobster on every plate and serve the rest of the meal family style down the center of the table.