Fried Razor Clams
 

Fried Razor ClamsThe Razor Clam (Siliqua patula), named because their shells are razor sharp, are found on sandy ocean beaches from California to Alaska, and are usually dug in the shallow surf. The long, narrow shell may attain a length greater than 7 inches at maturity.

When the Razor Clams are in season, and you can get fresh razor clams, the preferred way of cooking them is to fry them. This is because sweet, tender razor clams must be cooked quickly and are just about the tastiest thing you can eat. If cooked too long, they will be tough!

Check out more of Linda's great Seafood Recipes.

 

 


Northwest Fried Razor Clam Recipe I

30 saltine cracker squares
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
Dash Tabasco sauce or to taste
24 medium-size cleaned fresh or frozen razor clams*
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons butter
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 
Lemon Slices
 Cocktail Sauce

*If the clams are frozen, thaw them in a colander in the sink so they will not be sitting in water as they thaw (if you don't drain them as they thaw, they will be tough).

Crush the crackers with a rolling pin. Do not use a food processor which will spin them too fine.

In a shallow platter, beat the eggs together. Add the milk and Tabasco sauce.

Dry the clams thoroughly with a paper towel. NOTE: If you proceed without the clams being dry, breading will not adhere to the clams well, and wet clams steaks will result in LOTS of splattering of the hot oil.

Tenderize clams by pounding with the textured side of a meat mallet - pay particular attention to the tough siphon end.

Dip each clam in the eggs; drain off any excess. Place them in the crumbs to coat. Place breaded clam on a rack or plate; repeat process with remaining clams. Let clams stand for 20 to 30 minutes to the breading set up.

While the clams are resting, heat the vegetable oil in a heavy frying pan (cast-iron pan is ideal) over medium-high heat. Add the butter. Heat (but not so hot as to smoke).
 


NOTE: Give the oil plenty of time to heat up and make sure it is at the right temperature before you begin. If it is too cool, the clams will soak up oil and be greasy. If it is too hot, the clams will burn on the outside before the inside is cooked. Most foods are fried at 350 degrees F. To gauge the temperature, use a Cooking Thermometer or drop a cube of bread in the oil. If it turns golden brown in 1 minute, the oil is ready to fry in.
 

When the oil is hot, use tongs or a spatula to carefully add the clams.  Do not crowd the clams. Fry for not more than 30 seconds, then flip the clams for continue cooking for an additional 30 second on the other side. NOTE: It is important not to overcook the clams or they will be tough.

Allow the oil to heat back up in between each round of cooking your clams.

Remove the clams from the pan with a slotted spoon and place on a paper-towel lined plate, sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Repeat until all clams are cooked and serve as soon as possible while warm. Serve with lemon slices and cocktail sauce.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

 

  


Northwest Fried Razor Clam Recipe II

1 cup all-purpose flour
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
3 eggs, beaten
1 (3.25-ounce package) Panko (Japanese-style crumbs),
approximately 2 1/4 cups
1 pound medium-size cleaned fresh or frozen razor clams*
1 cup vegetable oil
Lemon slices
 Cocktail Sauce

*If the clams are frozen, thaw them in a colander in the sink so they will not be sitting in water as they thaw (if you don't drain them as they thaw, they will be tough).

Place the flour in a pie pan and season with salt and pepper. Whisk the eggs in a second pie pan and place the Panko crumbs in a third pie pan.

Dry the clams thoroughly with a paper towel. NOTE: If you proceed without the clams being dry, breading will not adhere to the clams well, and wet clams steaks will result in LOTS of splattering of the hot oil.

Tenderize clams by pounding with the textured side of a meat mallet - pay particular attention to the tough siphon end.

Dredge a clam in the flour mixture, dip in beaten egg, then coat both sides with Panko crumbs. Place breaded clam on a rack or plate; repeat process with remaining clams. Let clams stand for 20 to 30 minutes to the breading set up.

While the clams are resting, heat the vegetable oil in a heavy frying pan cast-iron pan is ideal) over medium-high heat. Add the butter. Heat (but not so hot as to smoke).


NOTE: Give the oil plenty of time to heat up and make sure it is at the right temperature before you begin. If it is too cool, the clams will soak up oil and be greasy. If it is too hot, the clams will burn on the outside before the inside is cooked. Most foods are fried at 350 degrees F. To gauge the temperature, use a Cooking Thermometer or drop a cube of bread in the oil. If it turns golden brown in 1 minute, the oil is ready to fry in.
 

When the oil is hot, use tongs or a spatula to carefully add the clams. Do not crowd the clams. Fry for not more than 30 seconds, then flip the clams for continue cooking for an additional 30 second on the other side. NOTE: It is important not to overcook the clams or they will be tough.

Allow the oil to heat back up in between each round of cooking your clams.

Remove the clams from the pan with a slotted spoon and place on a paper-towel lined plate. Repeat until all clams are cooked and serve as soon as possible while warm. Serve with lemon slices and cocktail sauce.

Makes 3 to 4 servings.

 

 


 photo of a Razor ClamWhen breading and frying foods, here are some tricks to keep in mind:

  • Your Razor clams must be properly cleaned before frying them. If you are lucky enough to go to the beach and dig your own clams, check out this great web site and Learn how to clean fresh razor clams.
     

  • Start by patting the meat dry. Lay your clean clams on top of a few sheets of paper towels to remove the moisture on the clams; pat dry with your hands. If you don’t remove the moisture, the breading will not adhere to the clams well, and the wet clams will result in lots of splattering of the hot oil you are cooking them in.
     

  • First clear your countertop and set out three (3) plates containing the following ingredients in the order listed: (1) flour, (2) beaten egg, (3) bread crumbs or cracker crumbs, plus a rack or plate to hold the breaded meat.
     

  • Place the cleaned and patted dry clams in the four/cracker mixture; turn with your hand or a fork to coat it.
     

  • Pick up the meat with the other hand and place it in the beaten egg. Using the same hand (consider it your wet hand) to turn the meat and coat it with egg. Then pull it out and lay the egg-coated meat on top of the bread or cracker crumbs. Use your dry hand or fork to pat the crumbs on. Shake off any excess crumbs and set the meat on the final plate or rack.
     

  • When everything is breaded, let it rest on the counter or in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes. This helps the coating dry out and adhere better.