| How to Cook Stuffed Clams Posted: 01 Oct 2020 05:00 PM PDT Stuffed clams make a delicious seafood dish, and you might think they're hard to cook. However, while they seem fancy, stuffed clams are very easy to make yourself! All you need are some clams, breadcrumbs, and whatever seasonings you want to add. After a little bit of prep work and baking, you can serve your very own gourmet-looking stuffed clams. [Edit]Ingredients - 16-24 little neck clams
- 1 cup (237 ml) of white wine
- 2 tbsp (7.2 g) of chopped parsley
- 1 tsp (1 g) of chopped dill
- 1 tsp (1 g) of thyme
- 1/2 tsp (1/2 g) of rosemary
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Red and white onion
[Edit]Cleaning the Clams - Buy fresh, live clams from a fish market. Look for clams that are tightly-closed and don't have a strong fishy smell. This means that they're still alive and fresh. You could also ask a worker when the clams were caught and delivered, which should be the same day or the previous day for maximum freshness.[1]
- Don't buy any clams that are already open or cracked. These might be dead and could be spoiled.
- This recipe uses 16 clams, but you can get as many as you want and adjust the recipe.
- Store the clams in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook them. Clams spoil quickly in warm temperatures, so refrigerate them right away when you get home. Keep them in the refrigerator or on ice until you're just about to clean and cook them.[2]
- Clams only last about 1-2 days after you buy them, even in the refrigerator, so cook them as soon as possible.[3]
- Soak the clams in water for 20 minutes to remove any sand. Clams are full of sand and saltwater, and you definitely don't want to be eating all of that. Fill a pot or bucket with cold water and soak the clams for 20 minutes to make them expel sand.[4]
- Don't add salt to the water. This way, the clams will expel saltwater and sand while taking in freshwater.
- Be careful not to disturb the water too much when you pick up the clams. There will be sand at the bottom of the pot, and if you kick that up, you'll get the clams dirty again.
- Rinse and scrub the clams to get rid of any leftover dirt. Hold each clam under running water and give them a good scrub with a clean, firm brush. This should get rid of any leftover sand or dirt so it doesn't end up in your dinner! After you scrub the clams, transfer them to a plate or bowl and keep them close by.[5]
- You don't have to use soap to clean the clams. The boiling water should get rid of any germs.
[Edit]Steaming the Clams - Heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) of olive oil in a large pot. Turn the heat to medium-high, then pour in oil. Heat the oil until it starts bubbling a bit.[6]
- You can also add minced garlic and butter for more flavor.
- Saute 1 chopped red onion in the hot oil. Roughly chop the onion ahead of time and stir it into the pot. Cook the onion pieces until they soften and turn translucent, which is usually about 5 minutes.[7]
- If you prefer, you can also steam the clams with just water. This won't be as flavorful, but it works just fine and takes less time to prep.
- Add 1 cup (237 ml) of white wine and bring it to a simmer. Pour the wine into the pot and heat it until it simmers. When it starts bubbling, then it's ready. This gives the clams some extra flavoring.[8]
- Be careful not to splash when you're pouring everything into the pot. You could get burned.
- Add the clams to the pot and let them steam for 5-7 minutes. After the wine simmers, add the clams to the pot and stir everything together. Cover the pot and let the clams simmer. When they're cooked, the shells will open up. Steam the clams until all of them open.[9]
- 1 or 2 clams may not open, meaning they were dead when you put them in the pot. This is normal and there are a few in every batch, so if all the other clams have opened, then the clams are done. Get rid of the unopened ones.
- Remove the clams from the pot and let them cool off. When the clams are open, turn off the heat. Scoop each clam out with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a baking sheet. Let them cool off until you can touch them without getting burned.[10]
- Remember to get rid of any clams that didn't open.
- Keep the broth from the pot to use in the clam stuffing.
- Separate the clam shells by pulling them apart. When the clams are cool enough to handle, grab each one near the front opening. Pull the 2 pieces of the shell apart until they separate completely. You might need to twist the shells a little bit to pull them apart. Repeat this for each clam.[11]
- This recipe only uses 1 side of each clam shell, so you can get rid of the other half of the shells.
- Slice up the clam meat and put it in 1 side of each shell. Pull the meat out of each clam shell and put it on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife and slice each piece into roughly sections. Then lay the clam shells face-up. Scoop up the sliced meat and put it back into each shell. Press the meat down with a spoon so none falls out.[12]
- Keep the pieces from each individual clam separate so you can put the right amount back into each shell.
- If you prefer the clam pieces smaller, then mince them up into tiny pieces.[13]
- You could also keep the clam meat whole and leave it in the shell. This is a slightly different recipe that's just as delicious, and it's a little less prep work.
- If you want meatier stuffed clams, you could also mix in some minced clam meat to make the meal more filling.[14]
- If you're preparing the clams ahead of time, you can prep them up to this point and save them for up to a day in the refrigerator before cooking.
[Edit]Making Delicious Stuffing - Heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) of olive oil in a frying pan. Turn the heat to medium, then pour in the olive oil. Heat the oil until it bubbles slightly.[15]
- For more flavor, you can also use 1 stick of butter instead of oil to cook the onions and garlic. This will give you a saltier, creamier taste.[16]
- Saute garlic and chopped onion in a pan for 5 minutes. Chop up 1/2 of a medium white onion and mince 2 cloves of garlic. Then add them to the pan with the oil. Stir frequently until the onions sizzle and turn translucent, about 5 minutes, then turn the heat off.[17]
- Stir in breadcrumbs, herbs, and seasonings. Pour 1 cup (125 g) of breadcrumbs into the pan and stir it in. Then you have a lot of choices for seasonings and flavorings to add. For a classic recipe, try adding 2 tbsp (7.2 g) of chopped parsley, 1 tsp (1 g) of chopped dill, 1 tsp (1 g) of thyme, 1/2 tsp (1/2 g) of rosemary, and salt and black pepper to taste. Stir the mixture well so all the ingredients are distributed evenly.[18]
- Feel free to add more or less of each ingredient if you want to.
- There are a lot of variations for which flavorings to use for stuffed clams. You can add some Parmesan cheese, crab meat, or red pepper flakes to the stuffing as well.
- For a bonus, try adding some chopped bacon or pancetta to the stuffing too.
- Moisten the stuffing with clam broth. Run the broth that you cooked the clams in through a strainer to get rid of any sand. Then slowly pour the broth into the stuffing, one spoonful at a time. Just moisten the top of the stuffing with the clam juice to give the stuffing a nice clam flavor, then stir it all together.[19]
- If you made the clams ahead of time, strain out some of the broth and save it for the stuffing.
- Fill each clam shell with a scoop of the stuffing. Scoop out the stuffing in a spoon and press it into each clam shell, covering the meat. Smooth out the top of the stuffing with the back of the spoon for a nice presentation. Stuff each shell evenly.[20]
[Edit]Baking and Serving the Clams - Preheat the oven at . Set the oven to so you don't burn the clams. Then wait 10-15 minutes for the oven to preheat.[21]
- If you're cooking everything at once, start the oven before making the stuffing so it's nice and hot when you're ready to bake.
- Bake the clams for 25-30 minutes. Arrange the shells evenly on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven. The clams should take about 25-30 minutes to cook. Remove the clams when the stuffing turns a nice golden brown color.[22]
- Check on the clams every few minutes to keep an eye on them. Take them out if the stuffing is getting dark. When the stuffing turns black, then the clams are burning.
- Broil the clams for 1-2 minutes if you want crunchier stuffing. If you prefer a little crisp in your stuffing, then the broiler is just what you need. When the clams are done baking, put them under the broiler for another 1-2 minutes. This should crisp up the stuffing with a nice finish.[23]
- Remember to keep an eye on the clams to make sure they don't start burning.
- Garnish the clams with lemon and parsley before serving them. Once the clams are done, take them out of the oven and let them cool. Before serving, you can sprinkle a bit of chopped parsley over them and squeeze on some fresh lemon juice for extra flavor. Then enjoy![24]
- If you have leftovers, baked clams can last 3-4 days in the refrigerator if they're in an airtight container.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Pot
- Frying pan
- Oven
- Spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Baking sheet
- There are tons of different recipes for the clam stuffing, so don't be afraid to experiment! Add different spices and flavorings if you want to branch out.
- Baked clams go great as a side dish in a seafood meal, or with pasta for an Italian twist.
[Edit]References |
| How to Do Office Yoga Posted: 01 Oct 2020 09:00 AM PDT Have you ever gotten done with a long day at work and felt completely drained? You may not realize it, but work stress and sitting at a desk all day takes a toll on your body. If you start feeling tired and sore while you're on the clock, you can luckily do some simple yoga stretches right in your office! While you can't get into all of the complex poses from a yoga class, you can still perform a lot of them without getting out of your chair. Even if you only have a few free minutes, you can use them to rejuvenate your work day! [Edit]Neck and Shoulder Relief - Tilt your head so it touches your shoulder if your neck feels tight. You might feel neck strain if you're slouching or tensing your shoulders throughout the day. Sit up straight so your back isn't touching your chair. Keep your head directly above your spine and your shoulders relaxed. Slowly tilt your head to the left so your ear touches your shoulder. Hold the position for 5 counts before returning to the starting position. Then tilt your head to the right and hold it for another 5 counts.[1]
- If you want a deeper stretch, gently push your head further down with your hand.
- You may also feel relief if you massage your neck lightly as you stop stretching.
- Do neck circles when you're feeling stiff. If your neck still aches, you may need to try this deeper stretch. Lower your head and tuck your chin against your chest. Slowly roll your head to the right so your ear touches your right shoulder. Bring your head back until your chin points up to the ceiling. Roll your head onto your left shoulder and back down to your chest to finish the circle. Then do a full circle moving your head in the opposite direction.[2]
- If you feel any pain while doing neck circles, stop immediately so you don't strain or hurt yourself.
- Roll your shoulders if they're tense. Make sure you sit up so your back is off of the chair. Lift your shoulders up as high as you comfortably can and hold them there. Slowly push your shoulders back and lower them back down in a circular motion. Do 4–5 shoulder rolls going backward. After that, reverse the direction so you move your shoulders back before lifting them up.[3]
- This stretch can also improve your circulation near your shoulder joints.
- Bend at the hips and reach out in front of you to loosen your shoulders. Stand up and move your chair to the side so you have some more room. Put your palms flat on your desk and walk backward until your arms are fully extended. Keep your back straight and bend 90 degrees at the hips. Press down on the table and push your hips back for 5–10 counts before you relax again. [4]
- Try to keep your legs straight during this pose, but don't worry if you need to bend your knees a little bit.[5]
[Edit]Upper Body Stretches - Try a cat-cow stretch when you want to improve your posture. If you're looking for something that's discrete and easy to do while sitting down, this is the stretch for you. Sit at the edge of your chair with your legs shoulder-width apart. Put your hands on your thighs and slowly inhale as you arch your back. Tilt your head back as you do this. When you exhale, round out your spine by dropping your chin closer to your chest. Go through 4–5 breaths to feel relief throughout your back.[6]
- This pose can also help your circulation.[7]
- Avoid jutting your chin forward when you're arching your back since you could compress your neck vertebra.
- For a variation on this, lean forward with your elbows on your thighs. Relax your body as you lean forward—you can even deepen the stretch by reaching your hands down to touch the floor or resting your hands on your ankles.[8]
- Twist to the side while you're sitting down if your upper back feels stiff. Sit on the front of your chair and inhale as you lengthen your spine. When you exhale, turn either to the left or the right side. If you need to, you can hold onto your table, desk, or the side of your chair to gently twist out to one side. You can rotate your head to gaze back as well. Hold this for about 5 breaths, then come back to the middle before repeating for the other side.[9]
- If you're sitting in a rolling chair, hold onto your desk or lock the wheels while performing this stretch.
- Try doing this about once every hour to keep tension from building up in your body.[10]
- You can also stretch your sides by leaning sideways over first one arm of the chair, then the other. As you lean to one side, reach the opposite hand over your head. Hold this for 4-5 breaths.[11]
- Lace your fingers behind your back and raise your arms to open your chest. You can do this stretch whether you're sitting or standing. Scoot to the front edge of your chair and lean forward slightly so there's enough room to fully extend your arms behind you. Reach behind your lower back and lace your fingers together. Keep your arms straight as you lift your hands up. Raise them as high as you comfortably can and hold the position for 10–15 breaths. Slowly ease out of the pose when you're finished.[12]
- Try leaning forward slightly so you can feel the stretch deeper in your chest.
- Extend your arm and pull your hand back to help your wrist flexibility. Working at a computer all day really strains your wrists and can cause a bit of pain. When you feel your wrist getting tight, extend your arm straight out in front of you with your palm face-up. Grab the tips of your fingers with your other hand and gently pull them back toward your body for 5 counts. Then, turn your palm face-down and push down on the back of your hand for another 5 counts. Switch arms so both your wrists stay loose.[13]
- You can do this stretch seated or standing.
- Perform the reverse prayer pose to loosen up your hands and wrists. Sit on the edge of your chair so you have room to do the pose. Reach your hands behind your lower back and keep your elbows bent. Turn your hands so your fingers point up and press your palms together. Try to scoot your hands as far up your back as you can. Take a few 4–5 breaths and relax on your final exhale.[14]
- This pose requires a bit of flexibility, so you might not be able to perform it at first. Keep working on it and eventually you'll be able to press your palms together.
[Edit]Lower Body Exercises - Lift your knees up to release tension in your hips. Sit up straight with your back slightly off of the chair and your feet shoulder-width apart. Grab the crook of your knee with both hands and pull it straight up as high as you comfortably can. Make sure you keep your back relaxed so you feel the stretch in your hips. Hold the position while you inhale and slowly lower it back down as you exhale. Then repeat the stretch with your other leg.[15]
- This stretch might also help with your digestion.
- Do hip openers if you want to stretch your glutes. Sit at the edge of your seat so your legs are shoulder-width apart. Lift up your right foot and rest your ankle on your left knee. Gently lean forward at the hips to help loosen up your glutes. Hold the pose for 5 counts and relax when you exhale. Then do the same stretch with your left leg.[16]
- It's normal if the leg you dominantly use is more flexible than the other. Your dominant leg is usually on the same side of your body as your dominant hand.
- Try the seahorse pose for a deep stretch through your torso and legs. Sit near the right corner of your seat or sideways on your chair if it doesn't have any arms. Keep your left foot firmly planted on the ground in front of you. Bend your right leg back so your knee drops down and the top of your foot touches the floor. Bend backward at the hips and hold the position for 1–2 counts. Then switch legs so you stretch them evenly.[17]
- Hold onto your chair or a sturdy object while doing this stretch so you don't fall.
- Put your foot on your chair and lean forward to stretch your legs. If you have room in your office, lift your foot onto your seat and straighten your leg. Bend forward at the hips until you feel the stretch running down your legs all the way to your foot. Stay in your pose for 3 counts before resting. Then stretch your other leg the same way.[18]
- This stretch really helps circulation in your legs so you don't develop varicose veins or swelling.
- Try side bends when you're feeling tight around your waist. You can do side bends sitting, but they work best if you're standing. Step forward with your left foot and keep your toes slightly pointed out. As you inhale, raise your right arm above your head. When you exhale, slowly bend to the left at your hips. Keep your core activated so you don't arch your lower back. Hold the position for 3 counts before stretching on the right side.[19]
- This pose can strengthen your core muscles and improve your balance.
- Even just practicing deep breathing meditation can help you refocus throughout the day. Close your eyes when you're feeling stressed at work. Inhale for 5 seconds and exhale for 7 seconds for 10 breaths.[20]
- Ask your coworkers if they want to set aside time to practice yoga together.
[Edit]Warnings - Be careful stretching in your chair if it has wheels. Either lock the wheels or hold onto your desk so you don't roll away.[21]
- If you're working in an office with other people, make sure you're not disrupting your coworkers while you're stretching. Try some more discrete poses or find a different time to do yoga.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Make Your Leather Jacket Softer Posted: 01 Oct 2020 01:00 AM PDT Leather jackets look and feel great, and they can bring your outfit together in any season. Unfortunately, leather tends to stiffen up over time, especially if you don't wear your jacket very often. Luckily, this is completely normal, and there are plenty of things you can do to fix that. In many cases, just wearing the jacket loosens it up. If this doesn't work, then try a few steps to soften and condition the jacket so it feels brand new again!
[Edit]Breaking In Your Jacket - Wear your jacket to loosen it up. This might sound too simple to be true, but it's not! Leather can get stiff if it's stored away for a long time. Wearing the jacket regularly might be all you need to soften it up a bit, so take it out once in a while to break it in.[1]
- Try to move around a bit while you're wearing your jacket. Bend your elbows, raise your arms, twist back and forth, and do some other motions to soften up the leather.
- There's no firm rule on how often you should wear your jacket to soften it. Every few weeks is a good goal.
- Crumple and roll around your jacket a little. Roughing up your jacket a little can help a too. Try rolling it in a ball, tossing it around, and bending it back and forth. This can work out stiffness and make your jacket more comfortable to wear.[2]
- Wear your jacket for a while after softening it up so it forms to your body.
- Wet your jacket to soften it. This might sound weird, but water actually helps soften leather. If you have to go out and it's raining lightly, wear your jacket and let it get wet. If you live in a dry area, or just don't feel like walking around in the rain, you could get similar results with a spritz bottle. Lightly spray the jacket to moisten it. The leather will soften and contour to your body better.[3]
- This is only meant for light rain, not a heavy storm. If you do go out in heavy rain, remember to dry the jacket before putting it away.
- You can also condition your jacket by wearing it out in all kinds of different weather, like snow or sun. All these different conditions will give your jacket a cool, worn look.[4]
- Move your arms around to help the wet jacket mold to you. While the jacket is wet, this is the perfect time to break it in a little. Move your arms, bend your elbows, twist around, wave, and make any other normal arm motions. As the jacket dries, it'll naturally form around these movements, and should be less stiff in the future.[5]
- Keep the jacket on until it dries. Whether you took your jacket out in the rain or spritzed it with a spray bottle, put it on and leave it on until it dries. This way, it'll mold to your body while it's soft.[6]
- If you got soaked in heavier rain than you expected, you can wipe the jacket down a little so you don't get too wet.
- Wipe the jacket with a dry cloth to get rid of excess water. Even if you wear the jacket until it's dry, there could still be some water droplets hiding. While some moisture is good for softening leather, storing your jacket while it's still wet is bad for it. Always wipe the jacket down with a dry cloth or towel to get rid of any excess moisture before putting it away.[7]
- You might always want to hang your jacket to dry completely before putting it away if you got soaked in the rain.
- Always dry your jacket at room temperature. Don't use a heat source like a radiator, or you could make it stiffen again.
[Edit]Conditioning the Jacket - Clean your jacket before any conditioning treatments. No matter what conditioning you use, you don't want any dust or dirt on the surface of the jacket.[8] You can wipe the jacket down with water and a mild detergent, or use a specialized leather cleaner. Either way, always clean the jacket before conditioning it.
- Remember to dry the jacket as well. Wipe it off with a towel and hang it to dry at room temperature.
- If you aren't sure how to clean your jacket, then it's best to bring it to a dry-cleaner to take care of.
- Apply a specialized leather conditioner to your jacket. Pour a bit of conditioner onto a clean rag and rub the conditioner into your jacket. Make sure you don't miss any spots.[9] When you're done, hang it up to dry. After a good conditioning, it should be nice and soft again.
- Instead of storing the jacket, you could also wear it right after. This will help it contour to your shape while it's soft.
- In general, a conditioning treatment will last about 6-12 months. You might have to reapply it once or twice a year to keep your jacket soft.[10]
- Try castor oil for a cheaper solution. Instead of leather conditioner, castor oil can also work to soften leather. Pour some oil onto a clean sponge and wipe it all over the jacket. Leave the jacket for a few hours and let the oil soak in, then store it away normally.[11]
- You can get castor oil at most pharmacies.
- If the jacket is still too stiff, you can do this treatment more than once.
- Rub petroleum jelly onto the jacket for another option. This can also help soften your leather jacket. Rub a small amount of petroleum jelly onto the jacket and let it soak in for a few hours. When you're done, you can store the jacket normally.[12]
- If there is still jelly left on the jacket, you can wipe it off before putting it away.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Breaking In Your Jacket - Water
- Spritz bottle
- Hanger
[Edit]Conditioning the Jacket - Clean rag
- Leather conditioner
- Castor oil
- Petroleum jelly
- Store your jacket away from heat. Heat can shrink your jacket and make it stiff.[13]
- Always hang your jacket from a wide, broad-shouldered hanger. Thin hangers can stretch out the material.
- Never fold your jacket when you store it. The creases can be permanent.
- Avoid covering your jacket with plastic. While you might think you're protecting your jacket with plastic covering, plastic dries out leather, so your jacket will be stiff and brittle the next time you take it out. If you want to protect your jacket, cover it with linen or cotton instead.[14]
- If you don't like stiff leather jackets, then you could also get a softer type of leather. Lambskin, for example, is softer and won't stiffen up as much.[15]
[Edit]Warnings - If you're using any type of conditioner, always test it on the leather before rubbing it all over the jacket. Dab a little bit on a small, hidden spot and leave it there for 24 hours. Make sure the leather isn't discolored, then you can use the conditioner.[16]
- Some websites recommend using coconut oil as a conditioner, but results are mixed. Manufacturers warn that this can leave a sticky or slippery film on the leather. You probably want to skip this one.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
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