Best Mark Bittmans Pasta With Clams Recipes

SPAGHETTI WITH CLAMS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, soak clams in cold water.
• Add spaghetti to boiling water, and cook until slightly underdone; pasta will finish cooking in sauce. Meanwhile, place a large saucepan over medium-low heat, and add olive oil, garlic and chili pepper. Sauté gently, reducing heat if necessary so garlic does not brown.
• Add vermouth and clams, and cover. Clams should open in about 2 minutes. (If pasta is ready first, drain it and toss with a small amount of olive oil.) Add hot drained pasta, cover, and shake pot gently. Allow to simmer for another 1 or 2 minutes until it is done to taste.
• Discard any clams that have not opened. Add half the parsley, and shake pan to distribute evenly. Transfer to a plate or bowl, and sprinkle with remaining parsley.

PASTA WITH CLAMS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it. Meanwhile, put 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, deep skillet that can later be covered and turn the heat to high. A minute later, add the clams, reduce the heat to medium-high, give the pan a shake, and cover. Continue to cook the clams, shaking the pan occasionally, until they begin to open, as little as 5 minutes later. Add the garlic and cook until most of the clams are open.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta. When it is nearly tender, remove a cup of its cooking water and drain. When the clams are ready, add the pasta and the tomatoes to the skillet and cook, tossing frequently, until the pasta is tender and hot; add some of the pasta-cooking water if the mixture is too dry.
• Add the remaining olive oil and taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary; garnish with the parsley and serve.
• Variation
• White Pasta with Clams: Omit the tomatoes and substitute about 3/4 cup dry white wine, adding it to the clams about a minute before the pasta.

CLAMS IN SHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Put oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots, and cook, stirring, until shallots soften, about 5 minutes.
• Add clams, and raise heat to high; cook, stirring, until clams begin to open, 5 to 10 minutes. Move them to a bowl. Add sherry to pan. Cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes, and then stir in pepper and butter.
• Return clams to pan, and cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes. Put clams on serving dish, and add lemon juice to sauce; taste, and adjust seasoning. Pour sauce over clams, garnish with parsley and serve.