Steamers with Bay Leaves

American
Appetizers
Fish & Shellfish
Game Night
Summer Picnic
PREP TIME:
15 minutes

SERVES:

2

TOTAL COOKING TIME:

30 minutes
Image
INGREDIENTS
  • 2 lbs steamers
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 dried bay leaves
  • 1/4 sweet valdalia onion, sliced
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp fresh garlic, diced
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • Merlot salt, pinch
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

  1. 1.
    Soak steamers submerged in 2" of cold water with 1 tsp of salt and 2 tbsp of corn meal for 1-2 hours in refrigerator to help rid bellies of sand and grit.
  2. 2.
    To make garlic butter for dipping the steamers, use a non-stick pan, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp fresh diced garlic and cook until golden brown. Add a pinch of merlot salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp lemon juice. Stir frequently for 1 minute. Put to aside.
  3. 3.
    To cook steamers, add water, bay leaves and onion to a steamer or lobster pot; bring to a boil.
  4. 4.
    Add steamers and cover pot; cook over high heat for 12 minutes until all steamers open. Throw away any steamers that remain closed.
  5. 5.
    Save cooked hot water from pot for dipping to clean steamers prior to eating.
  6. 6.
    Serve with garlic butter and garlic toasted french bread.
Garlic Toasted French Bread
INGREDIENTS
  • 4 tbsp salted butter
  • 1 loaf French bread, sliced
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 gloves fresh garlic, diced
  • 1/2 cup Parmigiano shredded cheese

DIRECTIONS

  1. 1.
    Melt butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add garlic, cook until light brown. Add salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
  2. 2.
    Brush garlic butter on both sides of French bread slices.
  3. 3.
    Spread Parmigiano shredded cheese on top side of each French bread slices.
  4. 4.
    Toast bread in a toaster oven until cheese melted. Remove from toaster and put aside.