Fried Clam Strips Recipe Friendlys Copycat

SUNNY'S EASY FRIED CAJUN CLAMS

Steps:

• For the Cajun clams: In a bowl, add the milk, seafood seasoning, lemon zest, a nice pinch of salt and a few good grinds of pepper. Whisk until the salt dissolves. Add the clams, and then soak in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
• For the dredge mixture: In a brown paper bag or bowl, add the cornmeal, flour, seafood seasoning, a nice pinch of salt and a few good grinds of pepper. Stir to combine. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove the clams from the bowl, shaking off any excess milk. Drop them into the flour mixture and shake or stir to coat. Place the clams on a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack and rest 15 minutes.
• In a heavy-bottomed pot, add enough oil to reach 4 inches up the sides. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 365 degrees F. Fry the clams in batches until golden brown, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, depending on the size of the clams. Remove from the oil to a paper-towel-lined plate and season lightly with salt.
• Serve with a spritz of lemon juice, cocktail sauce and tartar sauce, but I'm having it with a side of burger.

LINDA'S NEW ENGLAND FRIED CLAMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to its lowest setting.
• Line a lg. cookie sheet with double thickness of paper towels, and place it in the oven.
• Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer, or a lg. heavy saucepan, to a depth of about 3".
• Heat oil to 375°F.
• In a bowl, beat the eggs until well blended, then stir in the milk and salt.
• Spread the flour on a lg. strip of wax paper.
• Drop the clams into the egg-milk mixture, and let them soak for 1 minute.
• Pick up a handful of the soaked clams, and roll them in the flour until well coated. Shake off any excess flour before dropping in the oil.
• Immediately drop the floured clams into the hot oil, and deep-fry for 1-2 mins., until golden brown.
• As they brown, transfer them to the towel-lined pan, and keep them warm in the oven, while the rest are cooking.
• Serve with lemon wedges, tarter sauce, and ketchup.

FRIED CLAMS

Steps:

• Start by heating canola oil in pot over moderate heat until a deep-fat thermometer registers 380°F.
• While oil is heating, rinse and drain clam strips in a colander and stir together with buttermilk in a large bowl. Drain clams well in a colander set over a bowl, at least 5 minutes (reserve drained buttermilk).
• Stir together cornstarch, cornmeal, flour, curry powder, celery salt, cayenne, and kosher salt in a large bowl.
• Dredge 1 handful of drained clams in flour mixture, then shake in a large sieve over flour bowl to remove excess flour. Transfer clams, one by one, shaking them again to remove any excess flour mixture, to a baking sheet. Wash and dry lemons and cut crosswise into 1/16-inch slices. Dip 3 or 4 slices in reserved buttermilk, let excess drip off, then dredge in flour mixture, shaking off excess (don't use the sieve).
• Fry coated clams with coated lemon slices and 1/4 cup parsley sprigs per batch until clams are crisp and golden, about 1 1/2 minutes, then transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with kosher salt to taste. Return oil to 380°F between batches, removing any bits of fried batter with a fine sieve and coating next batch of clams and lemon slices. The batches will get progressively darker, but that won't affect the flavor.
• Available at Wild Edibles (212-687-4255) and many fish stores with advance notice.