I need ideas for a fish fry/crab boil/clambake?

Question

I am having a seafood extravaganza and I need recipe ideas as well as themes.

Answer 1

Backyard Clambake

Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yield: Serves 4

You can create a reasonable clambake on the grill, though you have to parboil some of the ingredients. But with the salty smoke rising, you can take a long pull of your beer and imagine the sea breeze is blowing. The asparagus is a little touch I dreamed up one night to offer color and flavor contrast. Arranging it on the very top cooks it perfectly.

1 pound cherrystone clams
1 pound mussels
4 1-pound lobsters
4 baking potatoes
4 small onions
4 ears of corn
1 bunch asparagus
Butter

Make sure the clams and mussels are all alive. The shells should be tightly closed, and if theyre open, they should close when you tap them. If any remain open, discard.
Build a fire in your covered grill and soak a couple handfuls of wood chips in water. Put the potatoes and onions in cold, salted water, bring to a boil, and cook for 15 minutes, till potatoes have softened. Drain. Pull the husks back from the corn but leave them attached. Pull off all the silks, then pull the husks back into place and tie around the corn with a strip of husk.
Drop the lobsters in boiling water for about 3 minutes till theyre bright red. Remove from water.
When the coals have burned down to red-hot, spread the wet wood chips across them. Lay the lobsters close together on the grill rack, spread the shellfish around them, and spread the vegetables over the top, ending with the asparagus lying in a single layer at the top. Put the lid on the grill and open the vents. Cook for about a half hour, until the mussels and clams have opened. Serve with bowls of melted butter.

Fried Fish Fingers with Tartar Sauce Recipe
Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

2 pounds red snapper fillets, skinned and cut into serving portions
2 cups milk
4 cups cornmeal
Salt and pepper
Oil, for deep frying

Heat oil in deep pan to 375 degrees F.
Pour 2 cups milk into a pie plate or baking dish. Place filets in milk. Let soak for 10 minutes.
Place 2 cups cornmeal, salt and pepper in a paper bag. Drop half the pieces of fish into the cornmeal. Shake bag until well coated. Remove from bag and immediately place into deep fat. Fry until fish is golden on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining cornmeal and remaining fish fillets, making sure the oil returns to 375 degrees F between batches.

Serve with Tartar sauce:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon scallions, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons minced sour gherkins
1 1/2 teaspoons capers
1 1/2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
2 squirts lemon
1 tablespoon snipped chives

Combine ingredients in a bowl.

Answer 2

The traditional clambake requires a secluded spot on a New England beach. We should all be so lucky! If you are not near the beach (drop a couple of tons of sand in your backyard)
Have a lobster (depicted on a 3x4 sign placed on an easel) welcoming everyone. Visualize the lobster wearing a chef's hat, an apron, and a bandanna tied around its neck. In one claw, he is holding a spoon; in the other, a plate of clams. Have the lobster saying:

"We're happy as clams that you're here!"
(Your Name)

Make sure there are balloons tied to the easel to create more of a fun, colorful effect.

A clambake is a very casual affair; however, you can create a fabulous centerpiece of a high pot with your name on the side. Hanging over the edge of the pot is a very colorful lobster and a clam. In the background, a little steam coming up! To the left is another clam saying:

"It's time to clam up and eat!"

Adorn the centerpiece table with shell-shaped confetti scattered over the cloth. You might want to consider a Treasure Chest piñata for your centerpiece. It makes a great party game after you've eaten your fill. Use some colorful starfish as confetti for a real seaside feel.

Help your guests get it in the mood with Beachcomber Hats and sunglasses. If you need to light up the grounds think about using Bamboo Torch Candles.

The party itself is all about eating.

Answer 3

Durn! I just want to know when to be there!

Sorry, I am not a 'theme' kind of person.