Clam Cakes With Tarragon Green Peppers And Tartar Sauce Recipes

ONLY IN ESSEX STEAMER CLAM CAKES WITH TRADITIONAL NEW ENGLAND TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• For the Clams: Over medium heat in a large pan, pour 3 tablespoons olive oil. Chop onion into large chunks and saute in oil until lightly cooked, about 5 minutes. Add the beer and the clams. Cover and cook until all of the clams are opened, about 10 to 15 minutes depending on how many you have in the pan.
• Remove pan from heat, uncover and allow to cool to the touch before shucking.
• Push the clams to the side so that there is broth visible to rinse the clams in after shucking. Remove clams from shell 1 at a time and pull off membrane that covers the neck and discard. Rinse shucked clams in broth and set aside. When all clams are shucked, drain the broth out of them by giving them a slight squeeze over the pan of broth. Chop roughly and set aside.
• For the tartar sauce: Mix all ingredients in a small bowl to serve with clam cakes. Refrigerate until serving.
• For the clam cakes: In a deep-fryer or on the stove top in a deep skillet, preheat oil to 375 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Fold in eggs, evaporated milk and clam broth until thoroughly mixed. Stir in clams and mix well.
• Dip a spoon into the heated oil, then take a 2 tablespoon sized scoop of the fritter mixture and carefully drop into oil. Turn the cake over when the first side is browned. Fritters should be cooked through and browned in 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a skimmer and drain on brown paper bag. Reseason with additional salt, if desired. Serve with the tartar sauce and enjoy! If desired, serve on small plates with wedges of lemon.

CRAB CAKES WITH TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• For the tartar sauce: Mix together the mayonnaise, cornichons and brine, parsley, tarragon, scallion and shallot in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until the flavors blend, at least 30 minutes (this can be refrigerated for several days).
• For the crab cakes: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently mix the crabmeat, scallions, mayonnaise, Old Bay, parsley, 4 tablespoons of the breadcrumbs and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl, taking care not to break up the crab lumps. Season with white pepper and additional salt, if necessary, to taste. Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold in the eggs until the mixture just clings together. If necessary, add more breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Divide the crab mixture into 12 equal portions and shape each into a round cake, about 2 1/2 inches across and 1 inch high. Lay formed crab cakes on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 30 minutes (these can be refrigerated up to 24 hours).
• Put the flour on a plate or in a pie tin. Gently place the crab cakes, one by one, into the flour and dust all over with flour to lightly coat. Set the floured cakes on a wire rack.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Gently lay half of the floured crab cakes in the skillet and cook until the outsides are crisp and browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining crab cakes.