Mark Bittmans Pasta With Clams Recipes

MARK BITTMAN'S PASTA WITH CLAMS

Steps:

• Steam the clams in a covered pot (a glass top is very nice, voyeuristically speaking). You don't need any liquid other than what the clams will release. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it.
• After the clams open - it could take as little as 10 minutes - uncover and cool. Take the meat out and strain and reserve the liquid; make sure to leave any sand behind. Chop the clams if they're big.
• Cook the pasta in the boiling salted water. Put 1/4 cup olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. When the oil is warm, add the red pepper flakes and garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Add the clams and continue to cook, stirring, for about a minute. Add about 1/2 cup of the reserved clam liquid.
• Drain the pasta when it's nearly done and stir it into the clams. Cook, stirring, until the pasta is tender and the mixture is saucy. Add more clam-cooking liquid (or hot water or white wine), if necessary. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a little more oil if you like. Garnish, and serve.

CLAM SOUP - MARK BITTMAN

Steps:

• Prepare clams. Discard clams with broken shells or shells that are not tightly closed. Be sure to wash the clams thoroughly-no trace of sand should remain on their shells.
• Combine 5 cups water and the kombu in a large saucepan; turn the heat to medium and cook the kombu until tender, about 10 minutes, never letting the water come to a full boil.
• Remove and discard the kombu and add the clams, then cook just until the clams open, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the scallions, sake, soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt; taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve immediately.
• Any clams that do not open during the cooking process can be pried open with a dull knife at the table.

MARK BITTMAN'S PASTA WITH GARLIC, TOMATOES AND ANCHOVIES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it for the pasta -- you should be able to make the entire recipe as the pasta cooks.
• Put olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat; a minute later, add garlic and chilies, if using -- cook garlic so it bubbles gently.
• When it is lightly browned all over, add anchovies and cook, stirring occasionally, for about a minute, until anchovies begin to fall apart, then add tomatoes.
• Adjust heat so tomatoes bubble nicely, and cook until mixture becomes saucy, about 5 minutes.
• Taste and add salt and pepper as necessary (taste first because the anchovies can contribute plenty of salt).
• Meanwhile, cook pasta until tender but not mushy. When it is done, drain it, reserving a little cooking water to thin sauce if necessary. Serve pasta with sauce and parsley.