![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/750x400p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/240/62/474774228.jpg)
SvetaVo/iStock/Getty Images
Mussels and clams can make a satisfying and delicious meal when you crave shellfish. Steaming mussels and clams requires an adequate amount of preparation time, but little cooking time. Try the following steps for a tasty shellfish meal.
Start with about 3 pounds of clams and mussels. Scrub your clams and mussels with a stiff brush under cold running water. Discard any clams or mussels that do not close when you tap the shell. De-beard the mussels by puling the threads from the shell.
Soak the clams and mussels in a mixture of 1/3 cup salt to 1 gallon of water for 20 minutes. Drain the water, then repeat this step two times.
Place about 1 cup of water in a large stockpot. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then add the clams and mussels, cover the pot, and steam for about 5 to 7 minutes or until the claims and mussels have opened. Remove the mussels and claims from the pot with tongs.
Cut the steamed clams and mussels out of the shells with a utility knife and serve.
Related Articles
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/56/23/86529220.jpg)
How to Clean Soft-Shell Clams (Steamers)
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/18/217/87563668.jpg)
How Long Do Shucked Oysters Stay Fresh?
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/s3.amazonaws.com/photography.prod.demandstudios.com/05a16df9-cff8-4a7d-a1fa-5f4b5d2ce24e.jpg)
How to Cook a Pot of Steamers
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/144/13/157826656.jpg)
How to Steam a Quahog
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/151/194/86545837.jpg)
How to Cook Fresh Oysters to Make Stew
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/184/107/86479548.jpg)
How to Boil Conch in the Shell
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/106/147/500572766.jpg)
How to Cook Clams in the Shell
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/64/18/470168696.jpg)
How to Steam Littleneck Clams
How to Cook Pismo Clams
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/74/8/fotolia_801923_XS.jpg)
How to Restart a Swiss Army Watch
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/146/23/80404236.jpg)
How to Make Sure Cooked Clams Have No ...
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/103/42/86526032.jpg)
How to Freeze Empanadas
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/144/170/fotolia_12933880_XS.jpg)
How to Purge Sand Out of Clams With ...
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/20/125/fotolia_4089825_XS.jpg)
Can Fresh Clams Be Frozen?
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/165/138/86525075.jpg)
How to Reheat Leftover Pork Chops ...
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/235/189/497539060.jpg)
How to Cook Oysters on the Stove
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/146/188/skd286132sdc.jpg)
How to Blanch Tomatillos
How to Change the Battery in a Majesti ...
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/189/32/86510901.jpg)
How to Cook Dried Chickpeas Without a ...
![Black spaghetti with seafood](https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/140x140p/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/103/175/81264542.jpg)
How to Improve Jar Spaghetti Sauce With ...
Tips
- For additional flavor, try using garlic and cooking wine. Before steaming the clams, saute a few cloves of garlic in olive, oil then add about a cup of white wine. Add the shellfish, cover and steam until shells open. You can serve the shellfish over pasta or with melted butter, a lemon wedge and crusty french bread.
Warnings
- For proper food safety, the Food and Drug Administration recommends that clam and mussels be steamed in their shells for at least four to nine minutes after water reaches a full boil. Be sure to discard any clams or mussels that do not open during cooking.
Writer Bio
Sara Kaiser holds a Master of Science in nutrition from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She works to help others find happiness in health in her career as a health coach and yoga instructor.
Photo Credits
SvetaVo/iStock/Getty Images