Linguine

In contrast to American renditions of this dish, which often feature a heavy tomato sauce, the Italian version focuses on the pasta itself. The clam and tomato accompaniment is light and simple. Red pepper flakes add a bit of heat, but you can reduce the amount if you prefer less spice. In Italy, the clams would most often be the small-shelled variety known as carpet-shells. In America, the best substitutes are cockles or Manila clams.

{Ingredients}

Serves 4

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 onions, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, peeled, smashed
• 2 medium tomatoes, cored, chopped
• 3 cups dry white wine
• 1 cup (or more) water
• 3 pounds Manila clams or small littleneck clams, scrubbed
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano
• 2 pinches of dried crushed red pepper
• 8 ounces linguine

{Directions}

1. Melt butter with olive oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions and cook until soft, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and stir 1 minute. Add tomatoes and cook until beginning to soften, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Add white wine and 1 cup water and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes to blend flavors. DO AHEAD: Broth can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate.

2. Bring broth to boil. Add clams, cover, and cook until clams open, 3 to 5 minutes (discard any clams that do not open). Transfer clams to large bowl; tent with foil to keep warm.

3. Stir basil, parsley, oregano, and crushed red pepper into broth in pot. Add linguine. Boil until pasta is almost tender but still very firm to bite, stirring often and adding water by tablespoonfuls if too dry. Return clams with any accumulated juices to pot. Cover and simmer until clams are heated through and pasta is tender but still firm to bite, about 3 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

4. Transfer linguine and clam mixture to large shallow platter and serve.

{Cooking Notes}:

1. Serve with warm rustic bread.