Patio Clambake

A Piece of Cake

By Pat O’Keefe

I get asked for a repeat of this recipe every year.  When my family gets together in the summertime one of our most favorite things to do is to have a “Patio” Clambake.  One of my brothers-in-law, David, grew up on the Cape and loves, LOBSTER BAKES, as we all do!  He’s come up with the most fantastic way to enjoy all the wonderful tastes and smells of a lobster bake with minimal effort and without being on the beach.  All you need, besides the edible ingredients, is a flat space on concrete, slate or brink.  Back patios are perfect for this adventure. 

"PATIO" CLAMBAKE

Cooking surface should be brick, slate or concrete and definitely no asphalt.  Lay out two sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil side by side and turn up edges about 1 inch.  Place a layer of “briquettes” on top of the foil and saturate with charcoal liter fluid.  Light and let burn down until briquettes turn white (about 20 minutes.)

David says for purposes of illustration the recipe will be based on an individual serving although I have seen it done for as many as 14 with space being the only limitation.  Everybody has their own individual disposable aluminum container (9x11) with lobster, steamers, mussels, corn, onions and potatoes.  You could also add sausage or shrimp depending on your tastes.

One Serving:

1- 9x11 disposable aluminum baking pan OR larger ones for small roasts or turkeys

5 to 6 pearl onions

1-garlic clove crushed

1-stick of celery

1-stick of butter

6-8 steamers or mussels

1 and 1/4lb.-lobster

1/4-cup white wine

1or 2-ears fresh corn

Generous amount of fresh parsley

Place the steamers/mussels on the bottom of the pan, add the garlic, celery and place the lobster on top then add the corn, wine, parsley stick of butter and pearl onions.  Tightly cover the pan with two sheets of aluminum.

Place individual pans on top of coals for approximately 20 minutes or until lobster turns “red”.  After 20 minutes, if not done check often.  Cleanup is a snap!  Let the coals burn until completely out and simply roll up the foil and place in the trash.  Everyone places their shells and leftovers in their pans and tosses them out when finished.

I will be happy to send you my weekly recipes via email just contact me at apieceofcake@optonline.net  On the Web at www.patokeefe.net Web site now has an extensive collection of recipes with more added frequently.  Need a past recipe or have a question, I will do my best to help, just email me. ENJOY!