Aromatic Clam Salad with Chives
Aromatic Clam Salad with Chives
Easy and Delicious Clam Salad Recipe: A Complete Guide from Cleaning to Seasoning with Fragrant Chives
A delightful seasonal clam dish that awakens your appetite! This recipe offers a step-by-step guide on how to easily prepare clam salad, even for beginners, covering everything from cleaning and boiling the clams to making a flavorful seasoning sauce. Particularly, the seasoning sauce made with fresh chives harvested from the garden elevates the clams’ savory taste to an unforgettable level. Enjoy the perfect harmony of chewy clam meat and aromatic chives in this exquisite clam salad, perfect for a special meal.
Ingredients- 1 bunch fresh chives
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup kelp and anchovy broth
- 1.2kg fresh clams
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To properly purge the clams of sand, dissolve 2 Tbsp of coarse salt in enough water to fully submerge the clams. Achieving a saltwater consistency is key to effective purging.
Step 2
Add the 1.2kg of thoroughly washed clams to the prepared saltwater.
Step 3
Cover the container with a black bag or lid to create a dark environment, and let the clams purge for about 3 hours. This allows them to expel any grit. (If you are using pre-purged clams purchased from a store, you can skip this step.)
Step 4
Once purged, put on rubber gloves and gently rub the clams with both hands to clean their shells. This removes any remaining dirt or sand. Rinse them thoroughly with clean water, repeating this scrubbing and rinsing process 3 to 4 times.
Step 5
Pour about an inch of water into a pot, place a steamer basket inside, and add the cleaned clams. Cover the pot with a lid and steam over high heat.
Step 6
As soon as the water comes to a rolling boil, steam for another 1-2 minutes and then immediately turn off the heat. Overcooking will make the clam meat tough, so the secret to the best texture is to remove them as soon as they slightly open their shells.
Step 7
If any clams remain closed, carefully insert the tip of a spoon into the groove of the shell and gently twist. The shell should open easily without forcing it.
Step 8
Discard the opened shell, leaving just one half with the clam meat attached, ready for seasoning.
Step 9
Finely chop the bunch of fresh chives that have been washed and dried. These fragrant chives are essential for the dressing.
Step 10
In a bowl, combine 4 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp rice wine, 1 Tbsp plum extract, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds, and 1/4 cup kelp and anchovy broth. Whisk everything together thoroughly to create the savory seasoning sauce. Ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
Step 11
Using a teaspoon, generously spoon the prepared chive seasoning sauce over each clam. The delightful combination of the clams’ natural flavor and the aromatic sauce will burst in your mouth. Enjoy your delicious meal!
