Gigi is coming for dinner, so dinner has got to be good tonight!!!! Clam sauce is one of my mom's favorite dishes, so that's what I'm making. Funny thing though, she does not like to eat the fresh whole clams on top, she just likes the sauce. Tonight, she will just have to eat around them because what is a plate of clam sauce without fresh whole clams on top?
WHITE CLAM SAUCE WITH BUCATINI PASTA
2 DZ LITTLE NECK CLAMS 3 6.5 OZ CANS MINCED CLAMS 1 4 OZ PKG PANCETTA DICED 6 CLOVES OF GARLIC CHOPPED 1/4 CUP FRESH CHOPPED PARSLEY 1 TBLSP FRESH CHOPPED BASIL 1 TSP RED PEPPER FLAKES 1/2 CUP WHITE WINE 1 LEMON (JUICE OF WHOLE, ZEST OF HALF) 3 TBLSP BUTTER 1/4 CUP OLIVE OIL BLACK PEPPER
Grab a large saute pan. We will begin building our sauce with combining the olive oil and the butter in the pan over a low flame. Add the chopped garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley, basil and pancetta. Saute until pancetta starts to crisp and garlic is tender. Season all with black pepper. Salt is not added in because the pancetta will bring the salty flavor itself.
Pour in the white wine and simmer until slightly reduced.
Next, the zest of 1/2 of the lemon as well as the juice of the whole lemon.
Finally...add in the cans of minced clams. Bring up the heat and let it come to a soft and gentle simmer for about 20 minutes.
You can prepare the sauce earlier and set aside in the fridge if you prefer and heat it up right before dinner. Then, when you are ready to get dinner on the table... prepare your pasta as directed on the package. (I love Bucatini Pasta. It is a nice thick and hearty pasta that goes great with this sauce, but you can use which ever type of pasta you like.)
While you are preparing your pasta, wash your fresh clams and throw them into the simmering sauce. Cover the pan. The clams are done when they are all open about 5 minutes.
Normally, you would want to add your pasta right into the pan of your sauce, but I made sooooo much that I do not have enough room. So, I will have to put my pasta in a big bowl and add my clams and sauce on top today.
There you go....delicious homemade white clam sauce!! Now don't forget.....NO CHEESE ON FISH!!!! Gigi breaks all the rules....she has to add cheese anyway...Haha!! ENJOY!!! ALL GOOD STUFF!!!