Clam Hash

A James Beard Special

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I've always enjoyed hash, especially home made corned beef or roast beef hash for breakfast, but never considered clam hash. I was surprised to find a great clam hash recipe by James Beard recently

Hash is a dish usually made of corned beef, potatoes, perhaps onions and peppers, as well as spices that are mashed together and slowly fried in a pan or on a griddle. They are commonly served with eggs and toast and a popular breakfast food, and they became popular after World War two when fresh meat had very limited availability. Of course you do not need to use corned beef.

The first recipe is based on the one from "The New James Beard" from 1981, a book I found in a used bookstore. James states that "I've been a clam lover ever since my childhood, when we used to dig for clams at the beach and cook them in every way imaginable." I didn't imagine this way, but I love it.

Start with a heavy skillet - I like cast iron, and melt 6 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 a cup of minced onions (and some bell pepper if you'd like) and cook until soft and barely transparent. Add 1 1/2 cups of either fresh minced or clanned clams, reserving the clam liquid, and 1 1/2 cup of minced boiled potatoes. Mash down with a spatula, salt and pepper lightly, and add 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.

Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat, occasionally mixing the the hardening bottom part of the hash with the lighter top and remashing down with the spatula.

Beat 3 eggs with the reserved clam broth, or use clam juice is you do not have any clam broth, mix with 1/2 cup of Parmesan Cheese and poor over the hash. Cook until the egg sets, which will take perhaps 6 minutes or a bit longer. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and enjoy a great breakfast!

Here is an ingredient list - feel free to substitute depending on what ingredients you have at hand:

1 1/2 cups of minced clams
1 1/2 cups of boiled and finely chopped potatoes
1/2 cup chopped onion
6 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup of grated Parmesan Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
2-4 table spoons of chopped parsley or other garnish

Scallions, red peppers, green peppers, garlic, and paprika are popular optional ingredients. I use whatever I have lying around the kitchen.

Clam Hash Recipe II - Low Carb Clam HashLow Carb Clam Hash

I was in the mood for Clam Hash, but was on a low carb diet, and potatoes are high carb, so I whipped up the following . First notice the ingredients.

6 tablespoons butter
1/2 tablespoon chopped garlic
one cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped pepper (I used 1/2 red and 1/2 yellow this time)
1 cup minced clams
3 eggs
2 tablespoons chopped chives
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan

First melt the butter and sauté the garlic in a heavy pan until you can just start to smell it. Add the peppers and onion and sauté over medium heat until they start to get soft and the onion is starting to get transparent.

Add the clams, reserving clam broth, and cook for about 10 minutes uncovered, mixing occasionally. You want the hash to be semi dry, or at least not swimming in fluid.

Beat 3 eggs together with the clam broth, and parmesan cheese and mix well. Pour on the eggs, lower heat to prevent burning, and cook until eggs are firm, maybe 6-8 minutes.

Garnish with chives and enjoy!

It's perhaps not super hash like due to the lack of potatoes or other starch, but it's delicious.

Clam Hash is simple to make and delicious. Think I'll make some more tomorrow for breakfast or maybe even for dinner tonight. It sure blows away canned corn beef hash!

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