LINGUINE AND CLAMS RECIPES

Steps:

• For the broth: Bring the wine and 1 cup water to a boil in a stockpot over high heat. Add the clams and cook until opened, about 5 minutes. Remove clams with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Discard any clams that do not open. When cool enough to handle, remove the clams from the shell and coarsely chop.
• Bring the broth back to a boil, add the mussels and cook until the mussels open, discarding any that do not open. These mussels are added just to flavor the stock. After you remove them, eat them or reserve for another use (remove from the shell, store in a container with a tight fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 1 day).
• Strain the cooking liquid through a mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a bowl. You should have 2 cups of liquid.
• For the breadcrumbs: Heat the oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat until it begins to shimmer, add the anchovies and cook until melted into the oil. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly golden brown, and then season with salt and pepper.
• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine to al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta well.
• Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and chile flakes, and cook until soft, 1 minute. Add the clam broth and cook until reduced by half.
• Whisk in the butter, creme fraiche and chopped clams, and cook until thickened. Add the basil, parsley, oregano and zest, and season with salt and pepper. Add the pasta and cook, tossing constantly, until the pasta is coated. If the mixture is too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water.
• Divide the pasta among the bowls, and top with some of the breadcrumbs. Garnish with parsley leaves.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to the package directions for al dente. Be careful not to overcook; the pasta should have plenty of bite to it. Drain and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter. (Using both olive oil and butter allows you to heat the mixture at a higher heat before it starts to brown.) Add the clams and garlic and stir together. Cook for 3 minutes. Pour in the white wine, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Cook until the sauce is reduced and less watery, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and stir to melt. Reduce the heat and squeeze in the lemon juice. Pour in the cream and sprinkle in the parsley. This is a very decadent dish! Add some salt and freshly ground black pepper, then stir well and taste for seasoning. Add a splash of reserved clam juice if the sauce needs thinning. Cook over low heat until heated through, about 3 minutes more.
• Pour the pasta into a serving bowl. Pour on the sauce straight from the skillet, including all the luscious juice, and toss to combine. At this point your kitchen smells like heaven. Top with freshly grated Parmesan and garnish with lemon slices.