Smoky Clams And Fregola Recipes

FREGOLA WITH CLAMS: RECIPE FROM SARDINIA

Steps:

• Wash the clams and place them in a large bowl with water and salt. Leave them at least an hour. At the end of this time, rinse them again very well under running water and transfer them to the fire in a pan large enough for them to open when heated.
• As the clams open, remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate or in a bowl. When they are all open, separate the shells keeping the part of the valve that containsthe attached mollusk. We also removed some from the shells completely. Pour the liquid remaining in the pan into a bowl through the mesh of a fine sieve covered with gauze or a thin cloth.
• Chop the parsley and peel the garlic cloves. Heat the olive oil in a separate pan that's wide and has high edges. Add the two peeled garlic cloves and cook until they start to brown and soften. When the garlic is cooked remove it and add the tomato paste. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sauce is completely soaked in oil. Then add the hot water and bring the sauce to a boil.
• When the liquid has boiled for a few minutes, it will be slightly reduced. Add the prepared half clams and the clams without shells if you have them. Then add the filtered clam waterand a handful of chopped parsley. Bring back to the boil, then add the fregola and cook over medium heat for about twenty minutes. If necessary, add a pinch of salt.
• Pour the fregola with clams into serving dishes and serve immediately whilst still hot.

FREGOLA WITH CLAMS AND MUSSELS

Steps:

• In a large pot, combine the chicken stock, water, and 1 tablespoon salt, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• While the pasta is cooking: Heat 1/4 cup of the oil, over medium-high heat, in a large Dutch oven. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Add the Marsala wine and grape tomatoes, and cook for 1 minute, scraping the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add the clams and mussels to the pan. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and cook until all the shellfish have opened, about 5 to 8 minutes. Discard any unopened shellfish.
• Using tongs, remove the shellfish from the pan and reserve. Drain the pasta and transfer to a large serving bowl. Pour the shellfish cooking liquid over the fregola. Add the remaining olive oil and 1/4 cup of the parsley and toss. Place the reserved shellfish on top of the fregola and garnish with the remaining parsley.

SMOKY CLAMS AND FREGOLA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir 2 tablespoons sea salt into 8 cups cool water. Add clams; let stand 30 minutes, then drain and rinse. Meanwhile, cook fregola in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain; drizzle with oil. Wipe out pot.
• In same pot, heat 1 tablespoon each oil and butter over medium-high. Add garlic and chile; cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in wine, 1/2 cup water, clams, sausage, and corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, 12 to 16 minutes, transferring clams as they open to a covered bowl. Transfer corn and sausage to bowl once all clams are open. Stir remaining 1 tablespoon butter into broth; keep warm.
• Spoon fregola onto a platter and drizzle with half of warm broth; scatter some cilantro over. Top with clam mixture, then pour remaining broth over. Top with remaining cilantro, and serve with lime wedges and hot sauce.