LINGUINE WITH CLAM SAUCE

LINGUINE WITH CLAM SAUCE

DINNER AT HOME

Celebrated a 16th Anniversary at home where we are most comfortable. Rather than go out and spend a lot of money in a busy restaurant we opt to have special dinners at home with the family.  I thought of making Steak and Lobster or Crab, Beef Wellington or maybe some fresh fish.  None of those interested by lovely bride so I said "how about Linguine with Clam Sauce".  She gave me the green light and I cooked up one of our favorite dishes in just a few minutes.  Started the meal with a delicious Liver Pate with Raspberry jam and fresh baked bread.  The Jam went perfectly with the Pate.  This was delicious.  Followed up the Pate with a very small salad consisting of Romaine Lettuce, Bell Pepper, Carrots, Tomato, Bacon and Egg.  Served with a Balsamic Dressing.  This was delicious and I purposely made it small so we would not fill up and not leave room for the dessert that I had planned.  Chocolate flourless Mouse Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.  Yummy!  No picture of that dish because we did fill up and did not have room for dessert.  Three days later it is still in the refrigerator because we have been so busy.  The Linguine and Clam Sauce was "perfect" according to my wife.  I used a combination of Chopped Clams from a can and large Little Neck Clams that I picked up at Whole Foods.  The fresh Clams were huge, meaty, sweet and delicious.  Absolutely love this dish and will continue to make it whenever the Boss requests it.  So thankful and blessed to have a wife that has put up with me for sixteen years.  Hope I am cooking for her for the rest of my life!

Click below for the Linguine and Clam recipe:

http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2012/02/linguine-with-clam-sauce-dinner-at-home.html

LINGUINE WITH CLAM SAUCE

APPETIZER OF LIVER PATE WITH RASPBERRY JAM AND BREAD

STEAMED THE LITTLE NECK CLAMS IN THE SAUCE (SEE LINK ABOVE FOR RECIPE)

SMALL SALAD WITH BOILED EGG, BACON AND BALSAMIC DRESSING

LINGUINE AND CLAMS COOKED AT HOME

LINGUINE WITH CLAM SAUCE

LINGUINE WITH CLAM SAUCE

DINNER AT HOME 

Celebrated a very special family member birthday with Linguine and Clam Sauce.  Simple, fresh ingredients cooked up in only a few minutes.  Entire meal for three was under $40.  The fresh clams in shell were half of the cost.  Could have skipped these and just used the chopped clams to save money.  While my presentation was less than perfect, the flavor of this dish was excellent.  Adding the small can of tomato sauce really makes a difference and adds flavor.  The red color of the tomato sauce disappears when the sauce is done.  I soaked the clams in water for about one hour.  You will be amazed how much dirt comes out of the clams.  The water was black when finally rinsed out.  This is a dinner that you can make with just about anything you have in the refrigerator.  Easy and delicious.

LINGUINE WITH CLAM SAUCE

CLAMS IN SHELL, CHOPPED CLAMS, WHITE WINE, GARLIC,
 SHALLOTS, PARSLEY, FRESH OREGANO, LEMON,
TOMATO SAUCE AND CRUSHED RED PEPPER FLAKES

SAUTE SHALLOTS AND GARLIC IN OLIVE OIL AND BUTTER

DEGLAZE PAN WITH WHITE WINE AND REDUCE

ADD CHOPPED CLAMS AND JUICE - SIMMER

ADD CAN OF TOMATO SAUCE - NOT KIDDING THIS IS GOOD

ADD FRESH OREGANO, PARSLEY AND CLAMS

COVER UNTIL CLAMS OPEN

CLAMS OPEN AND THE SAUCE IS DONE

BURNT THE BREAD A BIT BUT THE DISH WAS GOOD

LINGUINE WITH CLAM SAUCE

LINGUINE AND CLAMS

DINNER AT HOME

Made Mommy  a nice dinner in advance of Mothers Day.  Picked up some fresh little neck clams and put together a pretty good Linguine and Clams.  Garlic, onions, red pepper flakes, white wine, tomato sauce, butter, oregano and fresh parsley.  Appetizer was vine ripened tomato, mozzarella and basil with a 10 year old balsamic vinegar.  Added a slice of Proscuitto and some garlic bread.

LINGUINE AND CLAM SAUCE

VINE RIPENED TOMATO, BUFALA MOZZARELLA AND PROSCIUTTO