Name: Spaghetti and Clams
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound dried spaghetti; 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 2 shallots, thinly sliced; 5 to 7 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 2 1/2 pounds Manila clams, scrubbed clean; 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1/2 cup dry white wine; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes ((reduce for less heat)); 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced into small cubes; Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 lemon, zested, for garnish; Freshly grated parmesan cheese

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If I close my eyes, eating this dish takes me back to my favorite restaurant in Venice — OSTERIA BOCCADORO. Tender clams are cooked in wine, then fresh parsley and butter are whisked in and, for the final touch, everything is tossed with spaghetti to complete this traditional dish.

Ingredients

1 pound dried spaghetti
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 shallots, thinly sliced
5 to 7 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 1/2 pounds Manila clams, scrubbed clean
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (reduce for less heat)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced into small cubes
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon, zested, for garnish
Freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

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, red pepper flakes 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.
Sprinkle with parmesan reggiano, if desired.

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Spaghetti and Clams