Linguine Recipe
Market fresh clams, garlic, lemon, and white wine sauce
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Clams & Sauce
Finishing
Method
Pasta
- 1
Boil water and cook linguine
Bring 4 liters of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Add 12 oz linguine and cook until just shy of al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than package instructions). Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the linguine and set aside.
Clams & Sauce
- 2
Clean clams
Rinse clams under cold running water. Discard any clams with broken shells or that do not close when tapped. If clams are sandy, soak them in cold salted water (about 1 tbsp salt per liter) for 20–30 minutes, then rinse.
- 3
Sweat aromatics
In a large wide sauté pan or shallow pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil and 1 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat until butter melts. Add 6 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 finely minced shallot. Cook, stirring, until fragrant and softened but not browned, about 2–3 minutes.
- 4
Deglaze with wine
Increase heat to medium-high, add 1 cup dry white wine and 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes to reduce slightly and to burn off some alcohol.
- 5
- 6
Finish sauce
Once most clams have opened, remove about half of the clams with tongs to a bowl (leave shells on). Keep the pan over medium heat. If the sauce seems thin, stir in up to 1 cup low-sodium chicken or clam stock and simmer 2–3 minutes to slightly reduce. Add 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Stir in 1 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley.
Finishing & Serve
- 7
Combine pasta and sauce
Return the drained linguine to the pan with the sauce and clams. Add up to 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time while tossing (or use tongs) until the linguine is fully coated and reaches desired sauciness. Toss gently so the pasta picks up clams and sauce, about 1–2 minutes. If using, stir in 1/2 cup grated Pecorino or Parmesan and allow to melt into the sauce.
- 8
Adjust and finish
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Stir in an additional tablespoon of olive oil or a small knob of butter for shine if desired.
- 9