We wouldn’t call ourselves purists (like John Bil), but we tend to agree that steamed clams served with anything other than their own broth and butter is an abomination. We also think PEI might just have the prettiest white sand–dug clams we have ever seen.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 4

　　2 pounds (900 g) soft-shell clams, any New England or Maritime clam will do

　　6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter

　　

Step 1

Fill a 1-gallon (4-liter) stockpot with 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water and set over high heat to boil.

　　

Step 2

While the water is reaching a boil, wash the clams with a brush vigorously under cold water, inspecting them for sand.

　　

Step 3

When the water is boiling, pour in the clams and cook for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, put the butter in a little pan and melt it over low heat.

　　

Step 4

Check on the clams. You’ll know they’re ready when all the shells have opened. Pour them into a colander set over a bowl to catch any clam liquor. Discard any clams that didn’t open.

　　

Step 5

Serve the clams, the butter, and the clam liquor in three separate bowls. As you eat, peel away the tough skin from the clams’ appendages, rinse them in the hot liquor, and dunk in the butter.

　　Reprinted with permission from The Art of Living According to Joe Beef by Frédéric Morin, David McMillan & Meredith Erickson, copyright © 2011. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.