Southern Cooking: Easy Shellfish Recipes

Try these easy to make southern shellfish recipes on those cold winter days!

Carolina Steamed Oysters

oysters in the shell, 18 per person.
2 cups beer
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup brown vinegar

Add about 2 cups of beer or enough to be 3/4 inch deep in the steamer. Boil on high heat about 5 minutes or until the steam rolls out when the lid is opened slightly. Add oysters and an additional cup or so of water and cover, heating on medium heat. Steam oysters about 10 minutes, or until the majority of the oysters are open. Do not overcook. Serve hot, with bowls of melted butter and vinegar as condiments.

Easy Clam Chowder

25 large shucked clams (you can use 2 cans minced clams)
2 cans diced tomatoes or about 8 medium fresh diced tomatoes
4 medium potatoes, diced
2 carrots, diced
small onion, diced
3 cans chicken broth
black pepper

Use kitchen shears and snip the clams into small pieces. Combine the ingredients in a sauce pan. Simmer for 2 hours on medium heat.

Carolina Baked Crab Cakes

1 lb blue crab meat (you can use imitation crab)
2 teaspoon melted butter
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon mustard
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning
1 slice of bread, torn into small pieces

Form all ingredients into large cakes and place on a plate in refrigerator for a few hours. Spray a tinfoil-covered cookie sheet and place in oven at 350 degrees until light brown on both sides. Serves 4.

For more fish and seafood recipes see my blog A Dash Of Salty.