Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Lisa used Steam Whistle beer, Imagine organic chicken stock and salt instead of Old Bay Seasoning. Chorizo sausages often contain preservatives, so she used additive-free sausages, grilled in advance of being added to the pot.

Mix stock ingredients together

This recipe uses shrimp, clams and mussels

Serve with lots of crusty bread to mop up the broth

Stovetop (or in this case, barbecue) clambake

Ingredients:

1 bottle beer, such as pale ale or pilsner
1 to 2 cups (125 to 250 ml) chicken stock
6 shallots, cut in half
6 garlic cloves, crushed or left whole
3 sprigs thyme
2 large bay leaves
1 to 2 tbsp. (15 to 30 ml) Old Bay Seasoning (or salt)
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 pound (454 g) mini potatoes
2 smoked chorizo sausages or kielbasa, cut into thirds
4 corn on the cob, cut into thirds
1 pound (454 g) little necks or manilla clams
½ pound (227 g) mussels
1 pound (454 g) large shrimp, peeled, tail on, deveined
2 lemons cut in half
Parsley, chopped for serving
Lemon wedges and hot sauce, for serving

Preparation:

Add to large pot or stock pot: beer, chicken stock, shallots, garlic, thyme, bay leaves and old bay seasoning. Bring to a boil.

When mixture starts to boil, add potatoes and sausages. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until potatoes start to soften slightly, about 10 minutes.

Add corn, clams, mussels, shrimp and lemon halves. Cover and let steam until clams and mussels have opened and shrimp start to curl, turn pink and are just cooked through, about 5 to 10 minutes.

With slotted spoon or spider, remove seafood, sausage and veggies to large serving dish or platter. Finish with chopped parsley. Serve with lemon wedges and hot sauce. Serves 4-6.

Adapted from Chef Stefano Faita