Lift upClamRegardless of whether it is in the Eastern or Western recipes, clams are a highly popular bivalve food.There are two types of meat inside the clam: one is the adductor muscle, which is white and has good texture, another is the red and soft meat surrounding the adductor muscle.Usually, only the adductor muscle is used asingredient.Clams have simple preparation methods and are rich in nutrients. Recently, they have gained popularity among consumers, becoming a staple snack food. However, before preparing clams, an important step needs attention: how to wash them clean.Let's learn about this together.

How to wash clams

Clams have two shells of nearly equal size, with shell surfaces typically ranging in color from purplish-brown to light brown, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, apricot, grayish-white, etc.The inside of the shell is white, while the meat inside is the edible part.The adductor muscle is pure white, tender, and has a fresh taste. It is rich in nutrients.When dried, this adductor muscle becomes "dry clam," which is listed among the eight precious foods.Many clams are used as food ingredients.Clams are a popular bivalve in both Eastern and Western cuisines.In preparing clams, an important step before cooking is how to wash them clean; clean washing ensures safe eating.Also, who should avoid eating clams?Let's learn about this together.How to wash clamsClams have two shells of nearly equal size, with shell surfaces typically ranging in color from purplish-brown to light brown, yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, apricot, grayish-white, etc.

First, we need to buy fresh clams. When selecting them, a tightly closed shell indicates a live clam; if the shell is open and closes immediately upon touching, it's even better.Conversely, shells that are wide open and do not close when touched indicate dead clams.      

Next, rinse the shells of any dirt with clean water.      

Use a small knife, preferably one used for Western cuisine.Insert the knife into the shell to split it in half. This also cuts through the adductor muscle inside.You will see meat on both sides of the split shell.      

Using the knife again, scrape along the bottom of the shell to remove all the meat.Be sure to keep the knife tightly against the bottom of the shell for clean removal.      

Separate the meat from the shells.Start by cleaning the meat; use a knife to remove the innards, which appear black and discolored.Place the cleaned meat in a large bowl.Add a little salt and soak for 2-3 minutes. Stir the meat gently with chopsticks in a clockwise direction to allow the sand to settle at the bottom of the bowl.      

Lift out the meat, discard the water from the bowl, then add an appropriate amount of cornstarch to the bowl and wash the meat again by hand.Cornstarch will remove all residual sand from the meat.Finally, rinse with clean water; your clams are now ready for cooking.      

If making garlic steamed fans orsesame pastesteamed clams,we need to clean the shells thoroughly. Use a fine-bristled brush or toothbrush.Clean all the dirt off the shell.      

Now, your clams are washed clean and ready for cooking.Enjoy them however you like; they won't contain any sand.

How to make steamed garlic fans and clams

Clams have a fresh taste and rich nutrition, making them a regular feature on the dining table. Their high protein content and low fat levels appeal especially to women who want to stay thin.Clams are affordable and delicious seafood; their tender, sweet meat offers an incomparable flavor.How can we make steamed clams taste the best?Actually, no water is needed; just putting them in a pan is the best way to preserve the fresh texture and original taste of the clams.Have you tried this method before?Steaming without water results in purer flavors, with no loss of moisture and exceptionally tender meat.Garlic-steamed clam fans are a popular preparation. Many people enjoy them as they're simple to make.Ingredients: clams, rice vermicelli, garlic clovesSeasonings: oil, salt, cooking wine,soy sauce

, scallions, chopped

chili pepper, waterSteps:1. Clean the shells of clams with a toothbrush.2. Use a knife to split them open and remove the meat from one side.

3. The black inner part is the innards; it should be removed.

4. The yellowish, eyelash-like parts below the skirt are the gills.

5. Only leave the round piece of meat in the middle along with the moon-shaped yellow part.

6. Place the clams in a large bowl with salted water and soak for 2-3 minutes. Stir gently to allow sand to settle at the bottom, then rinse under clean water; your clams are now ready.

7. Soak a small amount of rice vermicelli in hot water until soft (about 10-15 minutes), then drain and set aside.

8. Season the clam meat with salt and cooking wine, marinating it for later use.

9. Fry garlic in oil until fragrant.

10. Mix half of the fried garlic into a bowl with some soy sauce to make a seasoning sauce.

11. Place the vermicelli on the bottom of each clam shell and add the remaining garlic on top of each piece of clamball.

12. Steam in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes, then garnish with scallions before serving.

13. Heat oil until smoking in another clean pan, pour it evenly over each clam to sizzle and smoke; serve immediately.

Through these steps, you've made a delicious steamed garlic fan-clam dish. Give it a try!

Clams' nutritional value

Clams are naturally rich in zinc, calcium, and iron, promoting brain cell development and enhancing cognitive function.

Zinc deficiency can lead to poor appetite and reduced food intake.

Severe cases may result in oral ulcers and weakened immunity.

Eating seafood is a good way to replenish zinc.Clams are high-protein, low-fat sea bivalves with rich nutrition.Clam benefits include:1. Brain healthClams contain carbohydrates that support brain function energy needs.

2. Digestive health

They help with digestive issues like poor appetite and weak stomach.

3. Skin care

Rich in vitamin E, clams prevent skin aging and reduce pigmentation.

They can relieve dryness and itching due to allergic reactions or infections.4. Cancer prevention

Clams help prevent cancer by reducing the risk of tumor growth.

They inhibit and suppress cancer cell proliferation.Moreover, some soft-bodied mollusks contain deltapenta-7-cholsterol and 24-methyl cholesterol, which lower blood cholesterol levels. They also have unique effects on inhibiting cholesterol synthesis in the liver and promoting its excretion, thus lowering overall cholesterol.

Their benefits are stronger than common cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Those with conditions such as these can consume more of this dish for both enjoyment and health benefits.Note: Some seafood is considered "windy," so those with chronic illnesses should be cautious.Seafood is cold, so those with weak stomachs should not eat too much.

Clams are sea food; they have a cold nature.Eat oranges two hours after clams to avoid adverse effects. Do not consume tannic acid-rich foods or high-VC foods with seafood, such as:oranges,matsutake

, tea, etc.

 Eat less seafood if you want to avoid vitamin C poisoning; this includes fruits and vitamin C tablets.Enjoy delicious food in moderation. Clams are sea food with a cold nature but should not be overeaten.Moderate consumption is key for beauty and health.Among mollusks, there is deltapenta-cholesterol and 24-methylene cholesterol that can lower serum cholesterol levels.Their effects are stronger than those of the commonly used cholesterol-lowering drug sitosterol.Patients with certain conditions may moderately consume garlic-steamed scallops; garlic enhances appetite while scallops have strong medicinal value.This dish meets everyone's demand for ocean delicacies and also has a therapeutic effect.Additionally, many mollusks are stimulants; those with pre-existing illnesses should be cautious about eating them.Mollusks are mostly cold in nature; thus, those with weak spleen and stomach should not eat too much of them.

Scallops belong to seafood and are cold in nature.OrangeIt is safer to consume oranges two hours after eating scallops; consuming seafood along with foods high in tannic acid may cause diarrhea, including oranges,Persimmon, tea, and other items also should be avoided.Eating seafood should avoid foods rich in vitamin C as well, which can lead to poisoning, including fruits and vitamin C tablets.Delicious food, we should enjoy it moderately; scallops are ocean delicacies but should not be consumed too much due to their cold nature.Moderate consumption is key to enjoying the beauty and health that comes from eating.