Northwest Fried Razor Clam Fillets Recipes

NORTHWEST PAN-FRIED RAZON CLAM RECIPE:

Steps:

• Crush the crackers with a rolling pin. Do not use a food processor which will spin the cracker too fine. Place the prepared crumbs in a shallow platter: set aside.
• In a shallow platter, beat the eggs together. Beat in the milk and Tabasco sauce: set aside.
• 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. NOTE: Be careful, as you want the clams to remain in one piece.
• Dip each clam in the egg mixture; drain off any excess. Then place each clam 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 so the breading will 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 the oil (but not so hot as to smoke).
• 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 your favorite Cocktail Sauce or Tartar Sauce.
• Makes 4 to 6 servings.
• 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. NOTE: Be careful, as you want the clams to remain in one piece.
• 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 for 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 the oil (but not so hot as to smoke).
• 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 Pan-Fried Razor Clams with lemon slices and your favorite Cocktail Sauce or Tartar Sauce.
• Makes 3 to 4 servings.

NORTHWEST FRIED RAZOR CLAM FILLETS

Steps:

• Beat eggs, hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Mix together the panko and tarragon in a second bowl. Place the flour in a third bowl. Dip a razor clam into the egg, then into the flour, then back into the egg, then press the clam into the panko. Gently toss between your hands so any breading that hasn't stuck can fall away. Place the breaded clams onto a plate while breading the rest; do not stack.
• Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry clams until lightly browned, about 1 minute on each side. Do not overcook or they will become tough. Serve immediately.