This is a real Italian classic. There are a lot of different recipes for vermicelli con le vongole, some using tomatoes and/or chilli, but this one uses neither. The juice from the clams provides the sauce. Serves 4
1 kilogram clams — Scrubbed
olive oil
2 cloves garlic — thinly sliced
350 grams vermicelli
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Salt and pepper
Discard any clams with broken shells or which are open
Heat some oil in a saucepan and add the garlic and clams
Cook until the clams open, about 5 minutes
Remove from the heat and lift out the clam. Discard any that remained closed
Remove the clams from the shell, saving a few for decoration
Strain the liquid from the saucepan into a frying pan and add the meat from the clams.
Cook the vermicelli until al dente, drain and add to the frying pan.
Cook for a couple minutes, tossing frequently.
Adjust the seasoning, add the parsley and serve.
