It was a beautiful day here in Chicago, and just what I needed since I know this is going to be a hectic week. I spent some time with a friend of mine while she looked at neighborhoods to possibly live in, shopped a bit, and then spent some quality time with Adam.
On Friday, I got a hankering for one of my mom’s recipes… and I’d just gotten off the phone with her and she was on her way to dinner! So, I held off until today and asked her for instructions for what I’ve been wanting: Linguine and Clams.
This is one of those foods that has many memories attached to it. I can remember being a little girl, sitting upstairs playing with my sister and smelling the olive oil/garlic/white wine for the sauce and KNOWING what was for dinner. It was the meal we ate with my grandma on countless New Year’s Eve while having a “picnic” in front of the fireplace. It was years before I knew that linguini was the pasta and not part of the recipe…
In any case, on our way to the grocery store today, I called my mom to get the ingredient list and then she emailed me the instructions later. What’s funny is that so many of the recipes I get from my mom have “cook until it tastes right” or “cook until it smells right” and it’s so true! There’s no science to it, just time and using all my senses. So, you probably want the recipe too, huh? Ok, ok…
Mom’s Linguini and Clams
Just like Mom's!
Ingredients
1 lb linguini, cooked and kept hot
4 cans chopped or minced clams
2 lemons
1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. dry white wine
1/4 tsp. oregano
parsley (if desired, I didn’t use it!)
S&P to taste
Directions
Heat the olive oil and sautee the garlic a few minutes until aromatic. Add the juice from the cans of clams, wine, juice of the lemons, rind of one lemon, and oregano. Simmer until reduced by about 1/4, and then stir in the clams. Heat until clams are hot, then add salt and pepper. Toss with pasta and parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Usually, when I make my mom’s recipes, they’re missing “something”. They never quite taste the way I remember them, or the way they taste when Mom makes them. Tonight though? PERFECTION! I have lots of leftovers for lunch this week too, which makes me doubly happy. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Mom!
I’m off to mix up something sweet involving chocolate and coconut… what? I’m not sure. Tomorrow is a roller skating day at camp, and the beginning of our annual Follies practice week. My girls are performing “The Hokey Pokey”… wish me luck!
yay!!! glad it turned out well… i also like to add capers to this, and parsley…
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I love love love clam linguine – yum!
Jess´s last blog ..Menu Plan for the Week!
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you know, I have never made anything with clams before. this sounds amazing AND looks amazing. Maybe I’lll have to add it to my “make this” list soon
brandi´s last blog ..Location, Location
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That dish sounds very similar to one my Mom makes and I agree that it’s divine!!!
Krista´s last blog ..Vacation Countdown
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Cooking “family” meals is always great! Brings back all the memories
However, I’m more of a baker than a cook and I can’t stand it when recipes say, ‘pinch of this’ or ‘to taste’ haha! I need exact measurements!!
Glad your dinner turned out! Good luck with your busy week!
K´s last blog ..Summer of 69
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This looks awesome! I’ve never made anything with clams (although I’ve ordered dishes with them in restaurants), I’ve always been super intimidated, but this sounds quite simple! Thanks, girl!
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yeahhhh…that’s the only way to cook things, by taste of smell!!
Melissa S.´s last blog ..Happy WAY Early Birthday To Me!
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That sounds really good. I think my husband would love it!
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Clams freak me out a little bit…but maybe if you or your mama cooked this for me, I’d give it a shot
anything with pasta, olive oil, and garlic can’t be that bad, right?
Hallie´s last blog ..Fake it Til You Make It
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Looks tasty! Do you think that there’s a big difference in taste between canned and fresh clams?
Alison´s last blog ..The Joy of Friday
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I love linguine and clams! I usually do a spicy red sauce.
Jess´s last blog ..Daily Run: 1200s and Goodbyes
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This pasta dish sounds ssooo delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
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Mmmm, linguine. Clams. Yum.
The Duo Dishes´s last blog ..Washing Away the Blues
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I will make this meal tomight, thanks!
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Gotta love how moms give out their recipes like that. It’s almost like they don’t want to hand over their secrets.
Jude´s last blog ..Thai Wild Mushroom Salad
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