Best Venetian Curried Clams Recipes

LINGUINE WITH CLAMS

Steps:

• In large pot over high heat, bring 4 quarts of water and 2 tablespoons of kosher salt to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to the package directions until just shy of al dente (the pasta should still be firm to the bite since it will cook another minute or two in the sauce).
• Meanwhile, in a very large sauté pan over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil until hot but not smoking. Add the shallots and garlic and sauté until just golden, about 30 seconds. Add the wine, red pepper flakes, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, clams, and ¼ cup of the parsley; bring to a simmer and cook, covered, until the clams open, 6 to 8 minutes. Discard any unopened clams.
• Reserving ½ cup of the cooking water, drain the linguine in a colander (do not rinse). Add the pasta to the sauté pan with the clams. (If you don't have room for everything in one pan, transfer the clams to a plate and cover to keep warm. When ready to serve, add them back to the pasta on a serving platter). Increase the heat to medium and cook the linguini with the clams, tossing occasionally, until the pasta absorbs most of the sauce and is just tender, 1 to 2 minutes. If necessary, add some of reserved cooking water to keep moist. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley; toss to coat. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, lemon zest and/or lemon juice, if necessary. Transfer to a serving dish or bowls and serve.
• Note: When cooking with wine, select a bottle that is inexpensive (under $10) but still good enough to drink. Avoid "cooking wines," which are salty and include additives.

VENETIAN COFFEE

Steps:

• Pour amaretto and sambuca into a footed, glass coffee mug. Fill mug with coffee and top with whipped cream.
• *Semi-Homemaker's Tip: To make flavored coffee, add a teaspoon of flavored extract to your coffee grounds before brewing.

GOAN CURRIED CLAMS

Steps:

• Finely chop onion and scrub clams In a 5- to 6-quart heavy kettle heat oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook onion and gingerroot, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Add spices and salt and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add coconut milk and bring to a gentle boil. Add clams and boil mixture gently, covered, stirring occasionally, until clams are opened, 6 to 8 minutes. (Discard any unopened clams.)
• Serve clams in bowls with cooking liquid and sprinkle with lime juice, cilantro, and grated coconut.

MANILA CLAMS

Steps:

• In a large saute pan cook the garlic in the olive oil until golden brown. Do not burn. Add the clams to the hot oil. **Be careful not to burn yourself. Add the wine, red pepper, fennel seed, lemon zest and juice.
• Raise the heat to high and steam the clams for 6 to 8 minutes until all the clams are open. Arrange the clams in 6 bowls using a slotted spoon. Add the tomatoes and parsley to the boiling broth and cook for 1 minute. Ladle the broth over the clams and serve.

CLAMS WITH QUINOA

Steps:

• Wash and vigorously scrub the littlenecks under cold running water. Place them on a tray, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside until ready to serve. Finely chop the shucked cherrystones and set them aside, refrigerate. Pour the clam liquor through a strainer lined with a double thickness of dampened cheesecloth. Add enough additional clam juice or water to make the liquid up to 5 1/2 cups. Set aside, refrigerate. Place the quinoa in a bowl and add enough cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Let soak for 5 minutes, then massage the grain between the palms of your hands for a moment. Strain through a fine strainer, rinse with cold running water, and repeat the soaking and rubbing process. Set the quinoa aside to drain.
• In a large casserole with a cover, preferably earthenware, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the onion and saute until it is totally translucent but not browned, about 8 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and add the garlic, chiles, bay leaf, cumin, and pepper. Stir over the heat for 2 minutes more, or until the aroma of the garlic is released. Add the tomato paste, chopped clams, and potatoes and stir together to mix. Pour in 4 1/2 cups of the reserved clam juice, bring up to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the quinoa and cook for 25 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
• While the quinoa is cooking, in another large saucepan reduce the white wine by half over medium heat. Add the garlic, salt, pepper flakes, julienned red pepper, and the remaining 1/2 cup clam juice and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the littlenecks, cover the pan and reduce the heat to low, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the clams have barely opened, gently stirring the mixture once during the cooking time. Mound the quinoa mixture onto a large platter and spoon the littlenecks, with all of their juice and the peppers, over the top. Scatter the cilantro over and serve immediately.

VENETIAN STYLE POLENTA CAKES WITH CAVOLINI DI BRUXELLES RECIPE

Steps:

• In a 6-quart stock pot combine the water and heavy cream and bring to a boil. Slowly add the polenta in a thin stream while stirring to prevent lumps from forming. Reduce the heat to a low flame and slowly incorporate the semolina flour. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes while stirring constantly. Remove from heat and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Allow to cool for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil 6 (3-inch) individual cake pans.
• Take the cooled polenta and pack into the prepared cake pans. Place the polenta cakes on a half sheet pan and bake in preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 15 minutes before unmolding.
• In a large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and lightly cook the onions and pancetta, if using, until golden brown. Add the Brussels sprouts and thyme sprigs. Place in preheated oven and roast until soft, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Remove the thyme.
• In a separate pan, combine the baby carrots with equal parts oil and water to cover. Slowly bring to a simmer and cook until tender. Remove the carrots from the oil and combine with the Brussels sprouts.
• To finish, reheat the polenta cakes in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes. As the polenta is cooking, slowly reheat the Brussels sprouts and carrots. Just before serving, place the polenta cakes in a bowl. Finish the Brussels sprouts and carrots with the red wine vinegar and salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange the vegetables around the polenta cakes in the bowl.

VENETIAN CURRIED CLAMS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Heat a large oven proof skillet over high heat. Add the clams, onions, curry powder and butter. Toss until onions start to brown. Top the clams with all the remaining ingredients except the heavy cream and scallions. Bring to a boil, transfer to the oven and roast for 9 minutes, turn the clams and roast for about 9 to 10 minutes longer, until they pop open. Transfer the clams and most of the solids to 2 serving bowls. On the stovetop, over a medium high flame, add the cream to the liquid left in the skillet. Stir constantly until the cream is completely incorporated. Divide the liquid between the 2 bowls, top with scallions and serve immediately with a generous spoonful of rice per bowl.
• Note: Instead of rice, you may serve the clams with mashed potatoes or creamy polenta. If you would like to serve the clams as an appetizer, divide among 4 bowls and omit the rice.

LINGUINE WITH CLAMS

Steps:

• Warm the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Increase the heat to high, add the white wine, and simmer until reduced by 1/2, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the clams, cover, and cook until the shells open, 3 to 5 minutes. Discard any that do not open. Season with salt and pepper. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain, and toss immediately with the clams, their sauce, the chopped parsley, and the Calabrian peppers or pepper flakes. Garnish with parsley sprigs, and serve immediately.