Linguine With Clams And Bagna Cauda Butter 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.

BAGNA CAUDA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat and add the garlic. Cook briefly, stirring, without browning. Add the wine and cook until reduced by half.
• Add the butter, a little at a time, beating rapidly with a wire whisk. Stir in the anchovy, season with pepper and serve hot.

BAGNA-CAUDA BUTTER (WITH GARLIC AND ANCHOVIES)

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over low heat. When the oil just begins to warm, add the garlic and anchovies and cook slowly, stirring until the garlic becomes toasty brown and the anchovies dissolve (about ten minutes). Let cool completely.
• Process the butter in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Add the cooled garlic-anchovy mixture and a pinch of salt. Process until well blended. Taste and add more salt if needed. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the parsley. Refrigerate until firm enough to shape into a log.
• Put an 18-inch sheet of aluminum foil on your work surface. Spoon the butter down the center of the foil into a log about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Enclose in foil and twist the ends to make a sealed log, like a tootsie roll. Refrigerate for up to one week, or freeze for up to six months.

LINGUINE WITH CLAMS

Steps:

• Soak the clams in cool water for about 30 minutes to expel the sand. Gently scrub the shells to remove any debris.
• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water (it should taste like the sea) to a boil. Add the pasta to the water and cook until slightly less than al dente.
• In a large braiser or sauté pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, shallots, anchovies and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until the shallots are soft, about 3 minutes.
• Add the clams in a single layer, along with a sprinkle of the parsley and the wine. Cover the pan with a lid and steam, shaking the pan occasionally, until the clams open up, 4 to 5 minutes. Discard any clams that remain closed. Transfer the clams to a bowl and set aside.
• Strain or transfer the pasta and add it directly to the pan with the clam sauce along with a drizzle of olive oil, tossing to combine. Let the pasta finish cooking with the sauce until the sauce thickens, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the remaining parsley to the pan and toss, then top with the clams and another drizzle of oil. Serve.

LINGUINE WITH CLAMS AND BAGNA CAUDA BUTTER

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta.
• While the pasta cooks, prepare the clams: Heat a large pot over high heat. When very hot, add the olive oil, then add the clams. When the first clams start to open, add the wine and bring to a boil. Boil for a couple of minutes to drive off the alcohol, then cover and cook until the clams open, about 5 minutes. Discard any clams that fail to open.
• Drain the pasta when it is 1 minute shy of al dente and transfer it to the pot with the clams. Cook over moderate heat for about 1 minute so the pasta absorbs some of the sauce. Off the heat, add the butter and parsley and toss until the butter melts. Divide among warmed bowls and serve immediately.