Best Crisp Fried Clams With Spinach Tartar Sauce In Pita Pockets Recipes

FRIED CLAMS WITH TARTAR AND COCKTAIL SAUCES

Steps:

• Combine the corn flour, all-purpose flour, seafood seasoning, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk together the milk and egg in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Add enough oil to a heavy-bottomed pot fitted with a deep-frying thermometer to reach 4 inches up the sides. Heat the oil to 365 degrees F and line a sheet tray with paper towels.
• Dip the clams in the milk, then into the seasoned flour. Add 8 to 10 clams to the oil at a time and fry in batches until they are crispy and golden brown, 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove the clams to the lined sheet tray. Continue frying the remaining clams.
• Sprinkle the clams with salt and pepper and transfer to a platter. Serve with the Tartar and Cocktail sauces and lemon wedges.
• Stir together the mayonnaise, relish, dill, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.
• Stir together the ketchup, chile paste, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and refrigerate until serving, or up to 1 week.

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.

CRISP-FRIED CLAMS WITH SPINACH TARTAR SAUCE IN PITA POCKETS

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine well the spinach, the mayonnaise, the pickle, the capers, the mustard, the lemon juice, and salt and black pepper to taste and chill the tartar sauce, covered.
• In a large saucepan of boiling water blanch the clams for 2 minutes, drain them in a colander, and rinse them under cold water. Remove the clams from the shells, peeling off and discarding the dark membranes, rinse them briefly under cold water, and drain them well. In three separate shallow dishes have ready the flour, the eggs beaten with the salt and cayenne, and the cornmeal. Dredge the clams, 1 at a time, in the flour, shaking off the excess. Dip them in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off, and dredge them in the cornmeal, transferring them as they are coated to a sheet of wax paper. In a kettle heat 1 inch of the oil to 375°F. on a deep-fat thermometer, in it fry the clams in 2 batches for 1 minute, or until they are crisp, and transfer them with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Cut 1/4 off one end of each pita, open the pita to form a pocket, and divide the fried clams among the pita pockets. Spoon some of the tartar sauce into each pocket, spreading it over the clams.