Linguine with Red Clam Sauce

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Once it is boiling, slip the linguine into the pot and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving the cooking water.

   Step 2

   Heat 4 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, deep straight-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Toss in the sliced garlic, and cook until garlic is sizzling, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with the peperoncino, let toast for a minute, then pour in the tomatoes. Rinse out the tomato can with a cup of the reserved pasta cooking water, pour it into the sauce, and stir. Season with the salt, and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, to thicken the sauce and develop the flavors, about 8 to 10 minutes.

   Step 3

   Add the clams to the sauce, and cover the pan. The clams will take about 7 to 8 minutes to open. Check them occasionally, removing to a bowl any that have opened fully. Carefully remove hot clam meat from the shells, using a towel if the clams are too hot to handle comfortably.

   Step 4

   Once all of the clams have opened and been removed, add the shredded basil to the sauce. Add the cooked linguine to the sauce. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and put the shucked clams back in. Toss for a minute to coat the pasta with the sauce, and serve.