Hard Shell Clams With Parsley Pesto Recipes

PESTO CLAMS AND SHRIMP LINGUINE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook linguine at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain.
• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and bell pepper. Cook until softened, 3 or 4 minutes; stir in garlic. Add white wine and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Stir in canned clams, 1/2 of the reserved clam juice, and chicken broth. Arrange fresh clams on the sauce. Bring to a low simmer; reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until clam shells open, 5 or 6 minutes. Discard clams that do not open. Stir in basil pesto and shrimp. Heat through until shrimp are bright pink and opaque, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter and chopped basil.
• Distribute linguine among serving bowls; spoon clams, shrimp, and sauce over pasta. Top with shaved Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

HARD-SHELL CLAMS WITH PARSLEY PESTO

Steps:

• Turn on broiler and put a large cast-iron skillet under it while you make parsley pesto. Combine parsley with a pinch of salt, garlic and about half the oil in a food processor or blender. Process, stopping to scrape down sides of container if necessary, and adding rest of oil gradually. Add vinegar or lemon juice, then a little water to thin mixture slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Carefully remove skillet from broiler, add clams to it and return to broiler. They should all open more or less at once, within 10 minutes; remove them as soon as they do to preserve their juices, and put on a plate. Dab each with parsley sauce and serve hot. (Any clams that do not open are safe to eat; open them with a dull knife, or continue to broil a few minutes longer.)

GARLIC AND TOMATO CLAMS WITH LINGUINE

Steps:

• Scrub clams and place in a bowl of lightly salted water; let soak for 2 hours. Drain and rinse well, discarding any clams that fail to close to the touch.
• Cook linguine according to package directions; drain, transfer to a large bowl, and keep warm.
• In a large, deep skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic, red pepper, and green onion; cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add wine and cook until wine is reduced to ½ cup. Add tomatoes and clams; cover and cook until shells have opened, about 8 minutes. Discard any unopened clams. Stir in parsley, thyme, and tarragon. Pour clam mixture over pasta; toss and serve immediately.