pasta vongole

Serves 4


1 X 500 GRAM PACKAGE OF SPAGHETTONI or Linguine

2LBS SMALL FRESH CLAMS, CLEANED


75 ML OLIVE OIL


3-4 CLOVES OF FRESH GARLIC, THINLY SLICED

PINCH OR TWO OF CHILI FLAKE


ZEST AND JUICE OF 1 LARGE LEMON


SALT AND PEPPER


250 ML GOOD WHITE WINE


BIG HANDFUL OF FRESH FLAT LEAF PARSLEY

CLEAN YOUR CLAMS BUT SOAKING THEM IN WATER FOR 4-5 MINUTES IN COLD WATER WITH 2 TABLESPOONS OF FLOUR

DRAIN THE CLAMS AND CHECK EACH ONE BY TRYING TO CLOSE IT - IF IT DOESN’T CLOSE UP, IT IS LIKELY DEAD AND SHOULD BE DISCARDED

COOK YOUR PASTA IN A LARGE POT OF SALTED WATER - ABOUT 8-10 MINUTES UNTIL AL DENTE

WHILE THE PASTA IS COOKING - HEAT A LARGE SKILLET WITH THE OLIVE OIL, GARLIC AND CHILI OVER MEDIUM HIGH HEAT

COOK FOR 2-3 MINUTES - DO NOT BURN THE GARLIC!

TUMBLE IN THE CLAMS ALONG WITH THE ZEST AND JUICE OF THE LEMON, SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE AND THE WINE. COVER TIGHTLY WITH A LID AND LEAVE TO STEAM FOR 4-5 MINUTES

REMOVE THE LID AND CHECK THE CLAMS - ANY THAT HAVEN’T OPENED SHOULD BE DISCARDED


PULL YOUR COOKED PASTA DIRECTLY FROM THE PASTA WATER INTO THE SKILLET, BRINGING ALONG A LITTE PASTA WATER SPRINKLE ON THE PARSLEY AND TOSS EVERYTHING TOGETHER


SERVE IMMEDIATELY WITH EXTRA LEMON ON THE SIDE