Spicy Sausage and Clams Linguine

Sweetheart Dinner (Part 1) – Impress your Sweetheart or Bestie with this decadent pasta dish of Spicy Sausage and Clams.

Valentine’s day is just around the corner, and the perfect time to have a romantic dinner at home. Restaurant’s are always packed on Vday and instead impress your significant other, girlfriend/boyfriend, or even your bestie with a decadent dinner of Clams and Linguine. It’ll be cheaper and you can go all out on a nice bottle of wine without spending a Benjamin. Take it up another notch and add some festive decorations to make the dinner feel extra special. Just look at these beautiful Valentine’s decorations from Bobee. I loved how they spruced up my table setting and made it feel festive for Valentine’s day.

A beautiful table setting deserves a special dinner, and this one is a show stopper! This is part 1 of the sweetheart dinner, and part 2 will be a decadent dessert that’s easy to whip together.  For the Spicy Sausage and Clams Lingine, the dish is 5 ingredients and you don’t need to be a great cook to pull it off. Since there are very few ingredients, I highly recommend getting good quality ingredients. I’ll go through all the steps below to ensure you can execute this dish without a hitch and impress your dinner date!

Let’s get started:

First start by finding fresh clams, and ask how fresh they are. You can use either use baby clams or little-neck clams, which I used. You’ll need 2 lbs of clams and be sure to wash them very well prior to cooking. Otherwise you’ll have sand in the clams and that doesn’t taste good.

The next main ingredient is the spicy sausage. I initially wanted to use a Mexican chorizo for this dish, but they didn’t have any at Whole Foods, so instead I purchased 2 links of their Green Chili Habanero Pork Sausage. I was concerned that the Habanero might be too spicy, but it was just the right kick!

You’ll also want to find a good white wine for the sauce, always choose a wine that you will drink. I picked up a Pinot Grigio from Argentina, and it paired delicious with the pasta dish. And finally for the linguine, try to find an artisanal pasta, the one I used was imported from Italy. Be sure not to over cook the pasta, refer to the package directions and taste a noodle a minute before the recommended time.

Ok, now you’re prepped to go out and forage for the ingredients. Since this is a special dinner, I would recommend shopping at a specialty store like Whole foods or AJ’s (here in AZ). This way you can get quality ingredients for a memorable meal!

And don’t forget to order these beautiful Valentine’s day decorations from Bobee. Whether you’re having a special dinner, or a Galentines’ day party, the decor will make it look extra special and festive! Now print the recipe below, go shopping, put on some music, decorate, and get cooking!

I promise you can do it! And don’t forget Part 2, Dessert!  xoxo- Renee

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Spicy Sausage and Clams Linguine

Impress your Sweetheart or Bestie with this decadent pasta dish of Spicy Sausage and Clams.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Baby or Little Neck Clams Fresh and washed very well
• 1/2 lb Spicy Sausage Chorizo, Hot Italian, or Green Chili Pork
• 1 lb Linguine Pasta Cooked according to package
• Handful of Cherry Tomatoes
• 1/2 Cup White Wine Same one you will drink with the meal
• 1 Cup Chicken Stock

Instructions

1. In a colander rinse clams well and use a brush to scrub any leftover sand. If the clam is open, try closing it. If it pops back open, throw it away.
2. Boil a large pot of water for the pasta. Once it starts boiling, add a tablespoons of salt to the water then add the pasta. Boil uncovered and stir the pasta to prevent sticking. Check a noodle a minute before the recommended cooking time. You want the pasta to be al dente (a little bite to it).
3. Use a large skillet with a lid to cook the sausage over medium heat. Remove it from the casing and break it up into little pieces.
4. Once sausage is browned, add wine, and cook for about 2 minutes to reduce it, then add the chicken stock.
5. Raise heat to medium high, bring to a boil. Carefully place clams into the boiling mixture and close the lid and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for a couple minutes, then open the lid and check on them. You can't overcook the clams since they will be done once they are opened up. If any remained closed, throw those away.
6. After the clams are opened, add the cherry tomatoes, then drain the pasta and place back into pasta pot.
7. Pour the Sausage and Clam mixture into the cooked pasta and toss it around. The clams will release a brine, and I didn't have to add any salt. Taste and see if any salt is needed. Also the spicy sausage will have lots of seasoning as well.
8. Plate in a bowl and arrange clams on top. Serve with chilled white wine, music, and a beautifully decorated table!