Make Ahead

Summer on a Platter

July 30, 2011
4
1 Ratings
  • Serves 12
Author Notes

We ended up taking some of the corn off the cob for some of the guests and me if that counts and I thought it considerably more fun than the 12 dozen ears of corn off the cob for the freezer.

About twice a year we get the big pot out to do our version of a low country boil, Frogmore Stew whatever you want to call it and in the end we have two huge platters on the ten foot table. Always fun and this year no leftovers. Amazing and a really big thing during the 4th of July week.

Everyone has their own version around here, there are numerous recipes out there, and we are always making changes. Adding different sausages that include Italian sweet and hot, andouille, smoked sausages and this year a few fire roasted peppers, onions and asiago chicken sausages. You adjust the ingredient amounts according to who eats what ( I have a husband that won't eat clams, but eats everything else in the pot).

The pot for 12 gets pretty full and heavy so we started steaming the clams separately using some of the broth from the big pot, works nicely for for me. This year I had a helper or two and they steamed the clams in EVOO, garlic and fresh herbs, adding the pot broth for the steaming liquid. Wonderful, we proclaimed it the best one pot and one pan meal ever. —ibbeachnana

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Ingredients
  • 6 cups water
  • 1-2 cans of beer
  • 1/4 cup Phillips Seafood Seasoning
  • 2 small potatoes per person
  • 1 small onion per person
  • 3 pounds variety of smoked sausages, Italian etc. cut into 3 inch pieces
  • 8 ears of corn cut in half
  • 5 pounds unpeeled shrimp seasoned with a little seafood seasoning
  • 4 dozen littleneck clams
  • 6 carrots, peeled and cut into 3 inch chunks
  • 2 lemons quartered, I love roasted lemons. Some for the pot some to serve with the clams and shrimp
  • 1 big steamer pot with basket insert
  • 2 celery ribs
Directions
  1. Bring the water, beer, seafood seasoning, 1 lemon, celery to a rolling boil. To the basket add the potatoes, small onions and carrots, cover and boil for 10 minutes. Add corn and sausages cook for another 10 minutes. (If making a considerably smaller amount, like for 4 people, toss in the clams next and steam until they are almost open), but for 12 hungry people I now take some of the pot broth and steam the clams separately. Finally add the seasoned shrimp, steam until they turn pink. Lift the basket and pour everything into a huge platter or two, ladle some of the broth over serving extra in little pitchers. Have some cocktail sauce for the shrimp and mustard for the sausages if you like.
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2 Reviews

aargersi July 30, 2011
I'm coming over. Yum.
ibbeachnana July 30, 2011
Really stretching the "off the cob" theme, but it was still fun. Some of the oldsters and youngsters appreciate the corn off the cob.