Linguine and Clams

Linguine and Clams

Ingredients

1. Broth:
2. 1 cup white wine
3. 3 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed well 
4. 1 dozen mussels, scrubbed well 
5. Anchovy Breadcrumbs:
6. 1/4 cup olive oil
7. 2 anchovy fillets, chopped 
8. 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 
9. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 
10. Pasta:
11. 1 pound dried linguine
12. Kosher salt
13. 2 tablespoons olive oil 
14. 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped to a paste 
15. Pinch red chile flakes 
16. 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces 
17. 2 tablespoons creme fraiche 
18. 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
19. 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus parsley leaves for garnish 
20. 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano 
21. 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 
22. Freshly ground black pepper 

Directions

1. For the broth: Bring the wine and 1 cup water to a boil in a stockpot over high heat. Add the clams and cook until opened, about 5 minutes. Remove clams with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Discard any clams that do not open. When cool enough to handle, remove the clams from the shell and coarsely chop.
2. Bring the broth back to a boil, add the mussels and cook until the mussels open, discarding any that do not open. These mussels are added just to flavor the stock. After you remove them, eat them or reserve for another use (remove from the shell, store in a container with a tight fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 1 day).
3. Strain the cooking liquid through a mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a bowl. You should have 2 cups of liquid.
4. For the breadcrumbs: Heat the oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat until it begins to shimmer, add the anchovies and cook until melted into the oil. Add the breadcrumbs and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly golden brown, and then season with salt and pepper.
5. For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the linguine to al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta well.
6. Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and chile flakes, and cook until soft, 1 minute. Add the clam broth and cook until reduced by half.
7. Whisk in the butter, creme fraiche and chopped clams, and cook until thickened. Add the basil, parsley, oregano and zest, and season with salt and pepper. Add the pasta and cook, tossing constantly, until the pasta is coated. If the mixture is too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water.
8. Divide the pasta among the bowls, and top with some of the breadcrumbs. Garnish with parsley leaves.