LINGUINI WITH GARLICKY CLAM AND MUSSEL SAUCE

Seafood|Ciao Bella|Italian|Pasta

Ingredients

1 ½ sticks butter, divided (4 tablespoons cold)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

12 large cloves garlic, chopped

¾ cup dry white wine

2 tablespoons lemon juice (juice from 1 lemon)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder

2 teaspoons Dish off the Block Ciao Bella Italian Spice Blend

1 pound fresh chopped clams

8 ounces frozen baby whole clams (shelled)*, thawed

8 ounces frozen mussels (shelled)*, thawed

⅓ cup milk

1 tablespoon cornstarch

⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

1 pound linguini pasta, cooked al dente to package directions (reserve ½ cup of the pasta water)

Parmesan cheese on the side for sprinkling

Instructions

Melt 1 stick of the butter in a large deep skillet over medium high heat. Add the olive oil to the melted butter.

Add the onions and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the wine, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, letting the juices reduce down by about half.

Add the chopped clams (with their juices), whole baby clams, and mussels to the pan and cook 3-4 minutes more, stirring frequently. Add ¼ cup of the pasta water and the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter (cold) to the pan and cook, stirring, until the butter is melted and the sauce is glossy.

Combine the milk and cornstarch in a small bowl and whisk to dissolve the cornstarch. Pour the mixture into the clams and stir, continuing to cook for another 2-3 minutes letting the sauce thicken.

Add the parsley and cooked linguini to the pan and toss, toss, toss until the pasta is fully coated. If you like the sauce a little looser, you can gradually add a little more of the pasta water and toss again.

Serve in bowls garnished with more parsley and with parmesan on the side for sprinkling.

*See the image below for an example of the frozen seafood I used in this dish. Of course, fresh is always great if you can get it, but a lot more work and these products are really excellent!