Health & Life

Choosing and Cleaning Clams Quickly for Fresh Meat

Seeking to make a delicious seafood dish such as steamed clams, clam soup or clam hot pot? One of the most important steps is learning how to select and prepare fresh clams while efficiently removing sand. Housewives, let's discover the answers together!

Administrator

31 July, 2023

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When it comes to cooking delicious clam dishes like steamed clams, clam soup, and clam hot pot, many housewives have questions about how to choose fresh clams, how to clean them, and how to make them release sand quickly. While clams are a delicious and nutritious dish, they often contain sand, which can affect the taste and quality of the dish.

In this article, we will provide some methods for choosing and cleaning clams to ensure that they are free from sand. Let’s dive in!

How to Choose Fresh Clams

Choose clams with hard shells, tight mouths, and heavy weight. They should also not have any odor.
If the clams have their mouths open, gently touch them. If they close their mouths, it means they are alive and fresh.
If a clam feels light and easily separates from its shell, it means it is dead and should be discarded.

How to Clean Clams

1. Soaking Clams with Salt and Chili

Soak the clams in water with a little salt and add a few slices of chili. After 1-2 hours, the clams will release all the sand and dirt. Simply remove the clams from the water and rinse them with clean water to continue the cooking process.

2. Cleaning Clams with Salt and Sesame Oil

Soak the clams in water and add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Stir gently and let them sit for about 2 hours. This will help the clams release the sand.

3. Making Clams Release Sand with Vinegar

Place the clams in a clean water basin and add 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar. Soak for 40 minutes. The acidic environment created by the vinegar will help the clams release all the sand quickly.

4. Keeping Clams in the Fridge

Rinse the clams with water and drain them. Place the clams in the fridge for 30 minutes. This will cause the clams to open their mouths and expel any sand. Rinse the clams again with water several times before using.

5. Quick Clam Cleaning

Heat a pot of water until it reaches 50 degrees Celsius. Turn off the heat and add the clams to the pot. Cover and let them soak for 15 minutes. This quick cleaning method requires careful control of the water temperature to ensure the clams don’t overcook and lose their flavor.