Summer is for Steamers

Steamers aka soft shell clams are a tradition in the northeast for serving at a clambake. Although, rare to find and pricey today, by all means, substitute quahogs or hardshell littlenecks or cherrystones in place of steamers.

There are many ingredient options to add a flavoring infusion for the steamers. The basic New England version is pretty simple, allowing the briny taste of the clam to shine. But by all means, jazz up according to your personal taste. Such as red pepper flakes, or shallots, or lemongrass, and or chorizo.

Steamers White Wine

Makes two servings

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2 pounds steamers or littleneck clams, scrub well and soak in cold water for 2 hours change water as needed to remove sand  

1 Tablespoon olive oil

6 cloves fresh garlic, split in half, peel can be left on 

1/2 cup white wine

1 sprig fresh oregano or thyme

2 Tablespoons fresh parsley washed & roughly chopped 

juice of half lemon + 1 lemon, cut into small wedges for serving

Optional: hot pepper flakes and 1/4 cup melted butter

Crostini with Summertime Condiment

Preheat a large saucepot, large enough to hold steamers. Add olive oil, garlic, and optional hot pepper flakes or other ingredients. Cook for 1 minute. Add steamers, oregano, and white wine. Cover pot and cook until open, about 3-5 minutes, stirring once or twice. Shake the pot to mix up steamers. Caution to not overcook the steamers because they will become dry and rubbery. 

Remove steamers with a slotted skimmer, leaving all the juice in the pot. Add parsley, bring juice to a boil and reduce the juice by half. Serve with juice, lemon wedges and melted butter in a separate bowl for dunking. And, you can always rev the steam up for a full boil or lobster bake to celebrate summer! 

Serve with crostini on the side.

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Farm Fresh on Create TV

Join my friends + me on George Hirsch Lifestyle's new release this week, Thursday, April 16th + daily through April/May 6:30 PM, 8:30 PM + 12 AM (all times EST) on Create TV, presented & distributed by American Public Television (APT) check local listings

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And, Alex and I will be on NPR's WPPB chatting with The Heart of the East End's Giana Volpe Thursday, April 16th, 11 AM about farm, food and the benefit to community and self. Global audiences can LISTEN to LIVE STREAM at WPPB 88.3 CLICK peconicpublicbroadcasting.org 

This season, as for over 25 years, I continue to trace fresh ingredients to their source at local farms and small-batch producers. I visit some of the oldest continuously-farmed lands in the U.S. at a pre-revolutionary farm and fruit orchid, to an indoor farm growing hundreds of ancient microgreens. All this while doing my part to support sustainable and local food production.

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Then, back in the kitchen, I cook, bake, and grill my favorite dishes with ingredients fresh from the farm. From warm corn chowder to perfect roast chicken with cherry sauce and a savory shaved beet salad to peach pie, this season's brand new recipes range from the simple to the sophisticated, the savory to the sweet.

I also share with you one-minute "Good To Know" cooking tips, another new feature this season. In an informative 60 seconds, I share food facts and basic cooking principles which answer viewers' burning questions, such as how many kernels are on an ear of corn? Or, what's the best way to select fresh fruit?

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This season, my long-time friend, chef, and award-winning photojournalist Alex Goetzfried, joins the show for on-location "chat and chew" conversations. George and Alex discuss sustainable cooking and living and share our adventures from the beautiful East End, Long Island. From dockside fish fries to breakfasts on the farm to our ever-popular "cooking two ways."

If I can do it, you can do it! chef George

 About George's friends and neighbors you will watch on GHL:

Long Island agriculture has been at the forefront of the farm to table for the last 35 years. Consumer support of buying locally grown, especially products "Grown on LI" has allowed our farmers to continue to produce some of the finest and most unique products in the world.

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Long Island produces an incredible variety of products, "Grown on LI," including fresh fruits and vegetables, award-winning wines, fresh flowers, and trees for our landscapes, aquaculture and seafood products, and so much more. Many of these items our residents enjoy every day in their meals at home or dining at our many restaurants. 

Long Island farmers produce some of the finest products in the United States. Nothing compares to fresh local fruits and vegetables, wine, seafood for taste, and nutrition. When on Long Island, visit our local farm stands and wineries and seafood stores in season and get to know your local farmer. They are happy to share their story with you.

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