Tips

The Secret to Sand-Free Shellfish: A 2-Hour Guide to Perfection

"Clams and mussels are a delicacy for many, but these shellfish can be a challenge to prepare. The biggest concern is ensuring they are free of sand and grit. A simple overnight soak in water does the trick, but to expedite the process, one can add a touch of salt, rice water, or even a metal object, which encourages the shellfish to expel the unwanted grit swiftly. It's a nifty trick to ensure a delightful dining experience."

Administrator

31 August, 2024

Clams and Mussels

The most common way to clean clams and mussels is to use water and chili peppers. Simply rinse and soak them in salted water with a few slices of chili peppers. You can also mix them with spicy salt.

After 1-2 hours, the clams and mussels will expel all the sand and dirt. Rinse them again before cooking.

Snails

For snails, soak them with metal objects for 2-3 hours. The snails will sense the metal and expel all the mud and dirt.

Alternatively, you can soak snails in rice washing water, salted water, or spicy salt for 1-2 hours. They will release mud and slime, after which you can rinse and cook them.

Scallops

Scallops are a bit stubborn and don’t easily expel dirt. However, when they sense the smell of sesame oil, they will gradually release the mud. So, add a few drops of sesame oil to the water and soak the scallops for 1-2 hours.

To remove any remaining slime, separate the shells and scrub the scallops with salt.

Reference: ngoisao.net

Clams, mussels, snails, and scallops are delicious, but only if they’re alive and thoroughly cleaned. If you know any other effective methods, please share them with us by leaving a comment below.