BY THE SEA By Lucy Waverman Switch it up on the BBQ with seafood in the starring role—the centrepiece of a casual, help-yourself gathering.

Instead of grilling the usual proteins, switch it up with flavourful seafood—like a clambake but in your own backyard; go casual and spread your feast out on the table for a fun, help-yourself gathering.

THIS CASUAL DINNER served outside at the cottage or in your garden is a wonderfully flexible meal. You can change seasonings, change ingredients and change presentations without altering the appeal of the dishes. For a traditional clambake, the seafood is tumbled onto newspapers or an oilcloth and everyone uses their hands to eat it. Plates and forks are available for the fussier and for the salads. This menu serves six good eaters or can stretch to eight.