Clams, mussels and chorizo w/orrechiete and hot chilis

1 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
12Vongole; (small little necks..tiniest you can find)
1poundsMussels soaked and de-bearded
1poundsChorizo; (or Italian sausage), sliced in rounds of about 1/2\" thick
¼cupOlive oil
6Cloves of garlic minced
1smallRed onion minced
1Leek; washed, minced
1Jalapeno pepper*
1Serrano pepper*
3Poblano peppers*
1teaspoonChipotle pepper sauce*
1Red sweet pepper; seeded and diced
1smallCan Italian tomatoes; seeded and diced
1tablespoonCumin powder
1tablespoonChili powder
½cupChicken broth
½cupDry white wine
½cupMinced fresh cilantro
¼cupMinced Italian fresh parsely
¼cupMinced fresh mint
1pinchSaffron
½cupCreme fraiche; ( Mexican CREMA or sour cream)
1poundsOrrechiete pasta; (penne, rigatoni, shells)

Directions

I was thinking of a Portuguses dish that combines clams and pork and came up this this variation last night. Sounds more complicated thatn it really is.

It turned out to be delicious! Hope you lke it Soak clams and mussels in cold water to get rid of any sand or dirt. Saute half the garlic and onion in saute pan with half the olive oil. Add clams, mussels, and wine. Cover and steam just until the clams and mussels open.

Remove from pot and cool. Remove clams and mussels from their shells and reserve the meat in a separate dish. Pour out broth into another dish and rub saffron threads into it. Reserve broth.

In saute pan saute chorizo in the remaining olive oil. Add remaining garlic, onion, leek. Saute until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add diced chili peppers, chili powder and cumin. Saute 3-4 minutes to extract the flavors. Add diced tomatoes, the juice from the can, the reserved clam/mussel broth, and the chicken broth. Add half the minced herbs. Mix thoroughly, cover and cook on low for 15 minutes.

Cook pasta according to directions but drain about 1 minute before it is really done. Reserve pasta water in case you need more moisture in the "sauce".

Add the reserved clams and mussels to the saute pan and mix through to heat. Add the drained pasta to the saute pan and mix over low heat about 2-3 minutes. If you need more moisture, add a little of the hot pasta water. Turn heat off and add the creme fraiche and the rest of the herbs.

Mix well and serve!

......................................................Whew! but it's worth the effort!!!!

* NOTE: A combination of hot sauces would also be good.

A crisp cold beer or non-alcholic beer is great with this dish. Hope you like it.

Posted to CHILE-HEADS DIGEST by MMazzarese <MMazzarese@...> on May 2, 1998