5 Ingredients or Fewer

First date Pasta with Clams

June 11, 2012
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0 Ratings
Photo by Foodies Kitchen
  • Serves 3
Author Notes

My friend shared this with me, perfect for a first time dinner date as you can cook while talking and the pasta sauce is done while the pasta boils. It's also ridiculously easy but seems much more complicated/ professional! —Laura Coxson

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 pound fresh clams
  • 12 ounces pasta--linguini or spaghetti best
  • 3 handfuls parsley
  • 1 pinch chili red pepper flakes
  • 3 pieces garlic cloves
  • 1 cup flour
Directions
  1. Put the fresh (closed) clams in a bowl of water with the flour. The clams clean themselves by trying to eat the flour in the bowl. Let sit for about 20 minutes. Clean and wash the parsley. Put a large pot of water with a dash of olive oil, to boil.
  2. Put the pasta in the boiling water. Chat with your date.
  3. Once pasta has been added to the boiling water, Cover a 12" frying pan with thin coat of olive oil and put on medium heat. Add the red pepper flakes and thinly sliced garlic. Do not overcook! Once the garlic begins to color add the cleaned clams and a handful of parsley and cover.
  4. When pasta is finished, al dente, (about 8 minutes) drain. Lift lid on clams/ frying pan and check that most of the clams have opened. Add the pasta and another handful of parsley and a chunk of good butter if the conversation is going well.
  5. Add salt and pepper as desired. sometimes a squeeze of fresh lemon is nice. Parmesan to top.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Laura Coxson
    Laura Coxson
  • rebekahnicky
    rebekahnicky

2 Reviews

Laura C. October 19, 2017
Also, did I make up the flour cleaning clams trick? No one else seems to do that....
 
rebekahnicky January 6, 2013
I'm the 'friend' who shared this...therefore, obviously amazing recipe! You forgot to add a little some white wine when you add the clams, about 1/2 cup white wine.