Firehouse Clam Bake New England Style

A traditional New England clam bake that will feed a small army! You will have to plan ahead for this one. Lobsters, clams, mussels, potatoes, fish, corn, hot dogs, sausage, and onions all baked/steamed together in layers, in a hole you dig on the beach. Serve with lots of melted butter and bread for sopping up all the delicious juices.

• Preparation Time: 3 hr
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 4 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 999 Calories

Ingredients

• 10 pounds mussels, cleaned and debearded
• 20 small (1 pound) lobsters
• 20 pounds clams in shell, scrubbed
• 10 pounds cod
• 20 white potatoes
• 20 sweet potatoes
• 20 ears fresh corn
• 5 pounds bratwurst
• 5 pounds hot dogs
• 5 pounds pork sausage
• 3 pounds sweet onions

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

At the beach dig a hole in the sand with the approximate proportions: width = 2 feet, length = 4 feet, depth = 1-1/2 feet. Line the hole with stones from the beach. Build a fire inside of the hole and cover with rocks from the beach. Heat the stones for 2 to 3 hours.

Step 2

Remove coals and/or embers from the hole. Arrange hot stones evenly across the bottom of the hole. Place fresh 1/2 bushel seaweed (wet) on top of the hot stones.

Step 3

Working quickly layer the food on top of the seaweed, the food should be layered evenly on top of each other in the following order: clams, mussels, fish, sausage, hotdogs (wrapped in cheesecloth), onions, potatoes (white and sweet), corn, and finally lobsters.

Step 4

Cover food with a clean, wet cloth. Place remaining seaweed on top of cloth.

Step 5

Cover entire hole of food with a wet tarpaulin, sealing the steam created by the hot stones and seaweed in. Allow a very small amount of steam to escape to relieve pressure. Let bake cook for 1 or more hours. The bake is completed when the potatoes are soft. Serve bake with melted butter to dip the seafood in and lobster crackers. Don't forget napkins -- you'll need 'em!