Decadent Clam Pasta with Fresh Manila Clams: A Restaurant-Quality Recipe You Can Make at Home
Decadent Clam Pasta with Fresh Manila Clams: A Restaurant-Quality Recipe You Can Make at Home
How to Make Delicious Manila Clam Pasta
This exquisite pasta dish features a delightful combination of garlic, chili flakes, and fresh clams sautéed in olive oil, creating a symphony of oceanic flavors. When prepared with care, this recipe allows you to enjoy a sophisticated and satisfying meal right in your own kitchen, highlighting the natural sweetness and umami of the clams.
Ingredients- 400g fresh Manila clams
- 100g pasta (spaghetti or linguine recommended)
- 5 Tbsp olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic
- 6 dried red chili flakes (peperoncino)
- 1 handful fresh arugula
- 3 Tbsp dry white wine
- 60ml pasta water (reserved from cooking pasta)
- Pinch of salt (for purging and seasoning)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To ensure the clams are clean and free of grit, begin by purging them. Place the clams in a large bowl and cover them with enough cold water to submerge. Add salt to the water until it tastes like seawater (approximately 10-15g of salt per liter of water). Cover the bowl tightly with a lid or dark plastic wrap to block out light, as this encourages the clams to expel any impurities. Let them purge for at least two to three hours.
Step 2
Prepare the aromatics for a fragrant base. Thinly slice the garlic cloves into slivers. If using whole dried chilies, break them into 2-3 large pieces each. This will infuse the olive oil with a gentle heat and aroma without making it overwhelmingly spicy.
Step 3
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil for cooking the pasta. Add about 10g of salt per liter of water. Add your chosen pasta (spaghetti or linguine work beautifully) and cook according to package directions, but aim for ‘al dente’ – about 1-2 minutes less than the recommended time. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup (200ml) of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and toss it immediately with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together.
Step 4
Heat a large skillet or pan over medium-low heat. Add the 5 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is warm, add the sliced garlic and the prepared chili flakes. Gently sauté them, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, and the chili has infused the oil with its subtle warmth. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 5
As the garlic becomes fragrant, add the purged and rinsed Manila clams to the pan. Pour in the 3 tablespoons of white wine and the 60ml of reserved pasta water. Increase the heat to medium, cover the pan, and let the clams steam until they have all opened wide, which typically takes about 3-5 minutes. Discard any clams that remain shut. The wine will help to deglaze the pan and add depth, while the pasta water emulsifies the sauce.
Step 6
Once all the clams have opened, add the cooked and lightly oiled pasta directly into the pan with the clams and their delicious broth. Toss everything together gently, allowing the pasta to absorb the flavors of the clam juice and the infused olive oil. Continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes, ensuring the pasta is well coated and heated through.
Step 7
Now, let’s enhance the flavor. If using, grate some fresh Parmesan cheese directly into the pan, or add pre-grated cheese. Toss the pasta to melt the cheese, which will further thicken and enrich the sauce. Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Remember, the clams and pasta water already contribute some saltiness.
Step 8
To finish, add the handful of fresh arugula to the pan and drizzle with an additional tablespoon of olive oil. Toss gently just until the arugula begins to wilt slightly, retaining its fresh, peppery bite. Remove the pan from the heat and let it rest for about a minute before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Plate the pasta attractively.
Step 9
This Manila clam pasta offers a wonderfully refreshing and sweet umami flavor that beautifully complements the pasta. It’s a truly special dish that’s surprisingly simple to prepare at home, making it a perfect choice for a delightful meal.
