Cockle and seafood bake
A beach bake is a semi-precise science and requires a
generous pinch of defiant commitment by at least two highly motivated parties
with a penchant for digging holes. That said, cooking on a beach is always
great fun, and waiting for the seafood to cook is a wonderful way of honing the
appetite. Provide lemons, plenty of long thin sticks of bread, really good
olive oil for dipping and plenty of wine.
Dig a pit at least 90cm/3ft square x 30cm/1ft deep; larger
if you are catering for a crowd. Line the base with pebbles, taking them part
of the way up the sides. Build a pyramid-shaped mound of kindling in the middle
of the square, with some scrunched-up newspaper at the base. Start the fire.
When the wood is burning well add larger pieces to the fire so that it
eventually covers the entire surface area of the pit. Keep the fire well stoked
up for about 45-60 minutes, then let it burn down to a stage where small
glowing embers remain. Using a long-handled rake, pull as many of the dying embers
as possible from the pit without dislodging the pebbles. Douse the discarded
embers with water to avoid fire-walking incidents.
At this point it
is important to
retain the oven-like temperature of the pebbles so,
working quickly, spread half the
seaweed evenly over
the pebbles. Arrange the seafood
over the seaweed, with the smallest items towards the edges for easy access, as
these will cook first. Cover with the rest of the seaweed, and then cover the lot
with the wet canvas. This should extend beyond the perimeter of the pit and
should be weighted down with 12 heavy stones, placed well away from the pit.
Leave the seafood to bake undisturbed for 1-2 hours. After 1
hour, have a sneaky peek to see if the cockles and small clams are cooked.
These can be taken out at this stage and eaten, and the rest of the seafood
enjoyed when it is ready.
Approximate
quantities for each person
2 freshwater crayfish
4 langoustines
2 large clams, about 6cm/2½ in across
6 small clams
3 whelks
12 cockles
Lemons, bread and good quality olive oil
Other things you will
need
Sand or earth
Shovels and buckets
Dry pebbles
Plenty of dry firewood, newspaper and twigs
Matches or a lighter
Long-handled rake
Seaweed, well washed and soaked in water
A large piece of canvas, soaked in water
12 heavy stones
Heatproof gloves
Cocktail sticks (toothpicks) |
