Steamed Clams With Pasta Recipes

MARK BITTMAN'S PASTA WITH CLAMS

Steps:

• Steam the clams in a covered pot (a glass top is very nice, voyeuristically speaking). You don't need any liquid other than what the clams will release. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it.
• After the clams open - it could take as little as 10 minutes - uncover and cool. Take the meat out and strain and reserve the liquid; make sure to leave any sand behind. Chop the clams if they're big.
• Cook the pasta in the boiling salted water. Put 1/4 cup olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. When the oil is warm, add the red pepper flakes and garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the clams and continue to cook, stirring, for about a minute. Add about 1/2 cup of the reserved clam liquid.
• Drain the pasta when it's nearly done and stir it into the clams. Cook, stirring, until the pasta is tender and the mixture is saucy. Add more clam-cooking liquid (or hot water or white wine), if necessary. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a little more oil if you like. Garnish, and serve.

SPAGHETTI WITH CLAMS

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring to a boil 6 quarts of salted water. Add pasta, stirring constantly in the beginning to prevent it from sticking together. Cook until al dente, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saute pan. When almost smoking, add shallots and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the clams and wine. Cover and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes or until most clams have opened.
• Add 2 tablespoons chopped parsley. Whisk in butter to thicken sauce slightly.
• Drain pasta in a colander. Do not rinse pasta with water - this will remove the pasta's natural starches. Place pasta into the clam saute pan and mix thoroughly. Check seasoning.
• Pour pasta into large serving bowl. Zest lemon over the dish, being carefull not to zest the white part of the lemon, which is bitter. Garnish with remaining parsley. Serve immediately.

STEAMED CLAMS AND PASTA

Steps:

• Spray skillet with cooking spray. Heat over mediium until hot. Saute onion and garlic 3-4 minutes; add parsley, oregano and pepper.
• Add clams and clam juice; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until clams open, about 5 minutes. Discard any unopened clams.
• Spoon spaghetti into shallow bowls. Arrange clams on spaghetti; pour broth over. Sprinkle with cheese.

GARLIC-STEAMED CLAMS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy pot over medium-low heat. Add garlic and bouillon; saute for 5 minutes. Increase heat and add water and wine.
• Add clams and cover with a glass lid. Steam until clams open, shaking to pot gently to redistribute the clams, about 6 minutes; do not open the lid.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove clams to a serving bowl; discard any that did not open.
• Add parsley, salt, and pepper to the broth. Pour broth over the clams and serve.