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Linguine with Clam-Tomato Sauce

CLAMS ARE WONDERFUL, but preparing raw clams may be too much work when all that's really needed is a quick pasta dish. This is a very easy recipe that uses canned clams—and the result is a dish that rivals fresh-clam versions. Linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti are suitable pasta choices.

Kick the sauce up a notch with some or all of the suggested options. My favorites are chipotle peppers and aquavit (an Italian-Mexican-Norwegian pasta).

KeyClams. These little delicacies easily become rubbery by overcooking. The key is to stir them into the sauce and simply bring them up to serving temperature. Which clams to use? Choose canned clams packed in water and salt only.

KeyTiming. Organize your cooking so that pasta and sauce are ready at the same time. You don't want mushy pasta with perfect clams nor do you want perfect pasta with rubbery clams.

Takes about 40 minutes. Serves 4.

SHOPPING LIST:
Jerry's Recipes
  • Pasta
  • Garlic
  • Chile pepper flakes
  • Tomatoes
  • Lemon
  • Canned clams, chopped
  • Fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • Pine nuts

Prepare pasta


 
    14 to 16 oz pasta
Cook ALMOST to al dente in at least 4 quarts boiling, salted water
(follow package directions)


Prepare the sauce
Skillet
1
Heat oil, then sauté garlic in large pan over medium heat until fragrant but not browned (1-2 minutes)
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil (or half oil, half butter)
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced or chopped
  • sprinkling of crushed chile pepper flakes (or chipotle peppers for a hint of 'smokiness')

2
Add, stir, and simmer uncovered until sauce reduces and thickens (about 15 minutes)
  • 14-oz can tomatoes with juice, chopped
  • liquid from drained clams
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • Optional: Splash of dry white wine
  • Optional: Splash of tequila, vodka, or aquavit
3
Stir in and turn off heat (clams should be heated, not cooked)
  • juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 6 oz or more chopped clams
  • palmful fresh parsley, chopped
  • fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1-2 tablespoons capers

Finish the dish
 
  • Drain pasta, then toss pasta with the sauce (in the same pan as used for sauce or separate bowl)
  • If the pasta seems dry, stir in a small amount of the pasta cooking water
  • Sprinkle servings with chopped fresh parsley
  • Pass around pine nuts

rainbow

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