Juicy Clam Seasoned Delight: Easy to Eat!
How to Make Deliciously Easy Seasoned Clams
The clam season is back! Seasoned clams are a dish I’m quite confident in making, and today I’m going to share how to make them. Not just any seasoned clams, but ‘easy-to-eat’ seasoned clams! This recipe focuses on making the clams tender and flavorful, with a delicious seasoning that’s perfect for a side dish or to mix with rice.
Ingredients
- Fresh clams (excluding ark shell clams) 1kg
- 8 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1 Tbsp oligodang (corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 Tbsp red pepper powder
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, the basic preparation for clams is ‘purging’ them to remove sand. However, for my seasoned clam recipe, you don’t need to purge them. There’s a secret to bringing out the clean flavor of the clams! (For reference: A common purging method involves dissolving 2 Tbsp of salt in cold water, adding the clams, and leaving them in a dark place for over an hour, or covering with a black plastic bag and keeping in a cool spot to expel any grit.)
Step 2
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning that will determine the taste of your seasoned clams. Start by adding 8 tablespoons of soy sauce for a deep and rich flavor.
Step 3
Add 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic for a fragrant aroma, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for that classic nutty taste. Don’t forget to add 1 tablespoon of oligodang (corn syrup) for sweetness and a nice sheen.
Step 4
Add 1/2 tablespoon of red pepper powder for a touch of spiciness and vibrant color, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to adjust the overall seasoning and enhance the flavors.
Step 5
Finally, sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh green onion for a fresh, pungent aroma and 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds for extra nutty flavor. And there you have it – a perfectly delicious seasoned clam sauce! See how simple it is?
Step 6
Next, wash the clams thoroughly. Make sure to scrub them well to remove any dirt or debris clinging to the shells, so they’re sparkling clean.
Step 7
Fill a pot with plenty of water and add 1 tablespoon of salt. This salt helps the clams cook evenly and adds a subtle savory note.
Step 8
Once the water comes to a rolling boil, pour in 1 cup of cold water. This step helps to gently cook the clams without making them tough, ensuring a tender texture.
Step 9
Now, add the prepared clams to the water and cook them briefly. It’s said that stirring the clams in one direction while they cook helps the clam meat stick to one side of the shell, making it easier to separate later. (Pro Tip: However, for my ‘easy-to-eat’ seasoned clams, we can skip this step and focus on cooking the clams until they are perfectly tender!)
Step 10
When about 2-3 clams start to open slightly, turn off the heat immediately. Rinse the clams under cold running water. This stops the cooking process and keeps the clam meat firm and juicy.
Step 11
Now it’s time to prepare the clams for seasoning. Gently pry open the clam shells and carefully remove and discard one half of the shell. Normally, you might season them like this, but remember, we’re making ‘easy-to-eat’ seasoned clams today!
Step 12
So, we’re going to completely separate the clam meat from the shell. After separating the meat, give it a quick rinse in cold water to wash away any remaining bits.
Step 13
Place the rinsed clam meat back onto the remaining half of the shell. This helps to present them nicely and keeps the meat in place.
Step 14
Arrange the prepared clam shells in your container, layering them from the bottom up. Even with 1kg of clams, layering them like this allows you to fit quite a lot! The reason I mentioned skipping the purging step is that by separating and rinsing them this way, we ensure a clean taste while preserving the clams’ natural flavor.
Step 15
Now, take the delicious seasoning you made earlier and generously spoon it over the layer of clams at the bottom.
Step 16
Continue layering clams and drizzling seasoning on top. Once you’ve added all 1kg of clams, your container will be nicely full, which is quite satisfying! (A slight downside is that 1kg doesn’t feel like as much as you’d expect once it’s done. ㅜ ㅜ)
