Steamed Clams or Mussels, Unleashed

The simplest way to steam clams and mussels is to put them in a pot with some water. But it’s not that much harder to build in added flavors; you can vary the aromatic vegetables, the liquid, and even the last-minute stir-ins (see the chart below).

When you’re done, there’s almost a whole meal in the pot. All you need is some bread or simply cooked rice,…