Linguini with Hot Sausage & Clam Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons EVOO Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3/4 pound hot Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 6 to 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 red chili pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 1/2 cup dry vermouth
- 1/2 cup chicken stock or clam broth
- 36 littleneck clams or 1 1/2 pounds manila clams or cockles, rinsed and scrubbed
- 1 pound linguini
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta.
Meanwhile, heat EVOO over medium-high heat in large skillet with tight-fitting lid. Add sausage and brown and crumble. Add onions, garlic, chili pepper and thyme; partially cover and soften 5 minutes. Add vermouth, stock and clams; cover and cook until clams open. Discard any unopened clams.
Cook pasta to al dente. Reserve half a mug of starchy cooking water and drain.
Add butter and parsley to clams and season with salt and pepper. Add pasta to skillet and toss with starchy water to combine. Serve immediately.