John Hinterberger’s Clam Spaghetti
One of the most treasured recipes around from the restaurant reviewer of the Seattle Times who published it only three times. He now owns a sauce company to produce the sauce. Watch the red chili pepper; he means one of those little things that comes in a tin, not the ones braided together. Better to use 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes. I’ve changed the recipe a bit, and take the oregano times 1.5, the basil X 2, use 2 cups of sliced mushrooms and use wine to create a sauce of ample quantity; the better so sop up with wedges of focaccia. I also double the parmesan and prefer the dried to fresh cheese. I use 1/2 to 1 can of olives and use fresh basil; if using dried make sure you use extra wine for reconstitution. I am a bit more generous with clams and juice, as I divide the 51 oz containers commonly found in bulk stores into 4 parts, and freeze. This means the clams and juice equal 12.75 oz.
INGREDIENTS
Nutrition- 1⁄2
- 1tablespoon olive oil
- 1dried red chili pepper, finely chopped
- 1
- 3
- 1⁄2
- 1tablespoon oregano
- 1⁄2cup dry white wine
- 2(4 1/2 ounce) cans minced clams with juice, drained with liquid reserved
- 1⁄3
- 1tablespoon butter
- 1lb dried spaghetti
- 1cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1⁄2
- 1⁄2
DIRECTIONS
- Put 1/2 cup olive oil in a large cast iron skillet and heat slowly. Add the dried chili pepper, chopped onion and garlic cloves. Cook slowly for about 30 minutes or until the onions are very soft.
- Add to pan the basil, oregano, salt and pepper, wine and liquid from the clams. Continue to simmer until some of the liquid is reduced down. Keep warm. In the meantime, sauté the mushrooms in a tablespoon of butter and add to the mixture.
- Bring kettle of water to a boil. Add a tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of oil. Cook spaghetti until just al dente (about 5 minutes).
- As pasta is cooking, add the clams, parsley and 3 tablespoons of cheese to the sauce and simmer at low heat for about five minutes. Add olives.
- After draining the pasta, stir into the sauce and toss. Sprinkle generously with grated cheese and serve directly from the skillet.