Massachusetts’ Date of Statehood – February 6, 1788
It is impossible to think about Massachusetts without thinking about Boston. And they DO call Boston “Beantown” after all. So, Boston baked beans certainly had to be on any menu celebrating the culinary traditions of this New England state. It is also hard to discuss the food of Massachusetts without also talking about the hundreds of clam shacks along the coast that serve up fresh fried mollusks to hungry tourists and locals alike. And finally, you must pay homage to the great agricultural tradition of cranberry bogs that thrive in Massachusetts! 30% of the world’s cranberry comes from this state, so you know we had to have something tasty that celebrated the cranberry!
Tips and Tricks
- The best way to have dried beans is to soak them overnight before cooking. However, if you don’t have the time (or you just forgot) you can “power soak” the beans. First, place the dried beans in a large pot and cover with water until it comes about 3 inches above the beans. Set the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Boil the beans for 2 minutes then remove from the heat, cover, and let sit for 1 hour. After this, cook as you please.
- Honestly, the time and effort it takes to cook bake beans from scratch isn’t worth it. Buy canned baked beans or baked beans from a local BBQ restaurant and doctor them up as you like.
- This recipe calls for corn FLOUR. This is different from corn meal or corn starch. Look for corn FLOUR (or arepas flour.)
- Shucking clams can be EASY. Here is how:
- Scrub the clams to get rid of any outside dirt
- Soak the clams in a salt water solution for 1 hour (1/3 cup salt to 1 gallon of cold water) This will get the clams to expel sand and grit.
- Bring a large pot of fresh water to a boil on high heat. One the water is at a rolling boil, dump the clams in and blanch for 20 SECONDS, no longer.
- After 20 seconds IMMEDIATELY drain the hot water and place the clams in a bowl of cool water. This hot dip relaxes the clams, it does not kill them.
- The clams can now be easily opened with just your fingers!
- Pull the clam out of the shell.
- There is a black crinkly membrane that you must get rid of. Simply pinch the black foot and pull the membrane off.
- Then, cut the black foot off of the clam and discard. This is the toughest, chewiest part of the clam.
- Place the prepared clams in a small bowl of cold water and you shuck the rest.
- Now they are ready for your recipe!
Clam Box-Style Fried Clams
Serves 2
- 1/2 Cup Evaporated Milk
- 3/4 Cup Whole Milk
- 1 Egg
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla
- 1 Pinch Salt
- 1 Pinch Ground Black Pepper
- 2 lbs. Steamer Clams, shucked
- 1/2 Cup Bread Flour
- 1 1/2 Cups Corn Flour
- Vegetable Oil, for frying
- Salt, for seasoning
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, whole milk, vanilla, salt, and pepper. Place the shucked clams in this liquid and allow them to soak for 5 minutes.
Step 2: In a wide dish (I like to use a loaf pan) whisk together the corn flour and bread flour.
Step 3: While they are soaking, heat up a deep pot with enough oil to cover the breaded clams, this is about 2-3 inches, to 375 degrees.
Step 4: Once the clams have soaked and the oil is hot, take a handful of clams out of the liquid and place them in the flour mixture. Toss to evenly coat the clams in the breading. Lift them out of the flour and shake off any excess.
Step 5: Test 1 clam and see how long it takes to fry. They are done when the breading turns golden brown, between 1 and 2 minutes. I found that my clams were done at 1 minute and 20 seconds. Fry the clams in 2-3 batches, to avoid over-crowding the oil.
Step 6: Once the clams are golden brown, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and allow them to drain on a paper towel-covered plate. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on the clams while they are still hot.
Step 7: Serve hot.
Boston Baked Beans
Serves 6
- 1 lb. Dried Navy Beans, soaked overnight in cool water and drained
- 1/2 lb. Bacon, chopped
- 1/3 Cup Sugar
- 2/3 Cup Dark Molasses
- 1 tsp Ground Mustard
- 1 tsp Ground White Pepper
- 1 tsp Salt
Step 1: Place the soaked beans in a large pot. Add enough water to come about 1/2 inch above the beans. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.
Step 2: After the 30 minutes, drain the beans and reserve the hot cooking liquid.
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Step 4: In an oven proof pot or dutch oven, sprinkle half of the chopped bacon. Pour the semi-cooked beans on top of the bacon. Then, whisk together the hot, reserved cooking liquid, sugar, molasses, ground mustard, white pepper, and salt until everything is dissolved.
Step 5: Pour this liquid over the beans and then top with the remaining chopped bacon.
Step 6: Cover and place in the hot oven. Cook for 4 1/2 hours, stirring every half hour or so and adding additional water to keep the liquid just above the beans.
Step 7: After the cooking time, allow the beans to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Summer Green Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette
Serves 4
Dressing
- 1 Small Shallot, peeled and finely minced
- 2 Tbs Cranberry Juice Cocktail
- 1 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tbs Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Salad
- 1/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts
- 1 Head Belgian Endive, stem and core removed and thinly sliced
- 1 Bunch Watercress
- 1 Bag Spring Salad Greens
- 1/2 Red Onion, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1/4 Cup Sweetened Dried Cranberries
Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the minced shallots, cranberry juice, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Allow the dressing to rest for 30 minutes.
Step 2: In a large bowl, toss to combine the spring salad mix, watercress, sliced endive, red onion, walnuts, and cranberries.
Step 3: Whisk the dressing again before serving.
Fun Facts about Massachusetts: 1. 552 original documents pertaining to the Salem witch trials of 1692 have been preserved and are still stored by the Peabody Essex Museum. 2. Boston built the first subway system in the United States in 1897. 3. Norfolk County is the birthplace of four United States presidents: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and George Herbert Walker Bush. 4. There is a house in Rockport built entirely of newspaper. 5. In 1634, Boston Common became the first public park in America. 6. In 1891, the first basketball game was played in Springfield. 7. Harvard was the first college established in North America. Harvard was founded in 1636.
Edible U.S. 