Ingredients
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28 littleneck clams, scrubbed
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7 garlic cloves, minced
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2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
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2 small hot chili peppers, minced (can substitute red pepper flakes)
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1/2 cup dry white wine
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1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
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1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
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1 -1 1/2 lb linguine
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1 tablespoon salt
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fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring six quarts of water to a rolling boil and add 1 tablespoon salt.
- Open 24 of the clams over a bowl with a sieve to strain the clam liquid.
- Save 4 clams for garnish.
- Set the strained liquid aside and chop the clams into a mince.
- Add the linguine to boiling water.
- The clam sauce should take the same length of time to cook as the linguine.
- Sauté minced garlic in the olive oil over high heat, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the minced chilies.
- Add the minced clams and sauté to heat through, then add the black pepper and white wine.
- Now add the reserved clam liquid.
- Open the last four clams without detaching the clams from their shells, and toss them into the sauce.
- Add the parsley and basil.
- Lower the heat to medium.
- When the linguine is al dente, drain it and toss it with about half of the sauce.
- Divide the pasta onto four plates, add the remaining sauce, and garnish each plate with one of the whole clams.