PPN: Linquine With Smoked Clams And Spinach
Ever since I became anemic, every meal I prepare is vetted to make sure it contains a lot of iron. I take iron supplements twice a day, but I've always believed that vitamins and minerals are best for your body if consumed in food. I was surprised to learn that mollusks are one of the highest sources of iron, beating out liver and beef. This was a happy discovery because I love clams, oysters, and mussels. Too bad I can't get my hands on cockles, they may be the highest iron source of all. The fact is, I've never seen a cockle in my entire life, but like most kids, I learned about them from the folk song Molly Malone.
I've long enjoyed eating smoked oysters, mussels, and clams. So, this recipe seemed like it would taste very good, plus it contains the requisite high levels of iron from the smoked clams and spinach. It was delicious and took barely ten minutes to prepare.
I used fresh pasta, but you can use dried if you prefer. The original recipe used small pasta shells, which would be very nice. I also drastically reduced the amount of the oil in the recipe, and didn't think it suffered in any way. If you like smoked clams or oysters, this will be a very good meal.
This recipe is submitted to Presto Pasta night which was started by the wonderful Ruth at Once Upon A Feast. This week, PPN is being hosted by the lovely Hillary at Chew On That. Stop by her blog (on Monday, perhaps) and check out the recap of wonderful pasta recipes from bloggers from all over the world.
Linquine With Smoked Clams And Spinach
Serves 2 (in my opinion)
(Big Oven)
Ingredients
About 2 cups of stemmed spinach leaves
8 ounces fresh linquine
2 (3-1/2oz) cans of smoked clams or oysters
3 Tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
2 largeg Garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese
Wash and drain the spinach roll in paper towels or cloth to remove the moisture, or put it in a salad spinner. Cut up the leaves into small shreds.
Bring a large pan of salted water to boil, drop in the pasta and cook according to directions until al dente (fresh pasta will take about 3 minutes). As soon as you have put the water on to boil, start cooking the other ingredients. Put the olive oil into a large deep frying pan over a high heat. When the oil is very hot add the garlic followed by the spinach. Stir swiftly for barely one minute, just until the spinach has become limp. Stir in the smoked clams or oysters, with their oil. Remove the pan from the heat and season with lots of black pepper and a little salt if needed.
When the pasta is ready, drain well and in a heated serving bowl. Pour the frying pan mixture on top and lightly mix in the pasta. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if like.
Smoked clams AND spinach . . . that needs to be in my bowl. That is a wonder dish! All the good stuff healthy and tasty!!
And by the way Sher, I really like that bowl.
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | June 26, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Sounds wonderful! By the way, I am misplaced to the south coast of England and there are loads of cockles to be had from seaside vendors. They serve them in little styrofoam cups, with malt vinegar and lots of black pepper and you eat them with toothpick and they're absolutely fabulous!
Posted by: Misplaced Texan | June 27, 2008 at 02:16 AM
OH Sher! I would never have thought to put smoked bi-valves on my pasta. I'm always eating them with a cheese plate and crackers on the back of a boat. BUT I can tell you what my next pasta meal will be!
Posted by: breadchick | June 27, 2008 at 05:16 AM
Oh, yummy! I love smoked food! That pasta dish looks awesomely delicious!
Cheers and have a great weekend!
Rosa
Posted by: Rosa | June 27, 2008 at 05:25 AM
Ooh! Ooh! That looks really lovely! I love clams too and this is just crying out to me...
Posted by: Dharm | June 27, 2008 at 06:40 AM
Sher, this pasta is screaming out "iron"... and "delish"!!! I'm with you about our bodies able to absorb much more vitamins/minerals from natural food.
Posted by: gattina | June 27, 2008 at 08:15 AM
Good job, getting those iron-rich ingredients in there, and it looks delicious!
Posted by: Kalyn | June 27, 2008 at 09:34 AM
I didn't know mollusks have a high amount of iron - great dish!!
Posted by: Deborah | June 27, 2008 at 10:39 AM
I'd make this with regular clams (not smoked, which make me so thirsty, for some reason). And I agree -- getting more iron through nutrition is much easier on your system than taking the iron supplements, which my own system finds a bit harsh. Spinach is so good for this!
Posted by: Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) | June 27, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Smoked oysters definitely a former vice of mine, now that i know it is rich in iron... This is the kind of dinner that one ignores all dinner guests while eating.
Posted by: Callipygia | June 27, 2008 at 12:10 PM
This one is awesome! And it's good for me too. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.
Posted by: Ruth | June 27, 2008 at 04:51 PM
I had no idea that mollusks were a better source of iron than liver. Good information! I look forward to clams; liver, not so much.
Posted by: Julie | June 28, 2008 at 10:31 AM
I have never tried smoked clams...sounds 1deerfull!
Posted by: Jeff | June 28, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Delish looking recipe. Isn't it crazy what happens to our bodies? One minute we feel fine then the next thing you know we get that what I call "medicine head" muddy foggy head feeling. Anything food-wise that can help is great and this recipe looks wonderful!
Posted by: Allthingsfoodie | June 28, 2008 at 05:58 PM
This is the kind of dish I love!
Posted by: Maryann | June 29, 2008 at 07:51 AM
That looks so good. Serves 1 (in my opinion) :)
Posted by: Jude | July 01, 2008 at 05:36 PM
I'm so impressed with out committed you are to getting your iron from foods. It would be easy to just think the supplements were enough but I'm with you. I think it's more effective to get as much as possible from good food.
Posted by: Glenna | July 02, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Smoked clams, nice twist -- clever you!
Posted by: whaleshaman | July 02, 2008 at 08:34 PM
wow, sherry, this looks FABULOUS! i love smoked oysters - shamelessly, i eat them straight out of the can with some saltines, usually while i'm reading e-mail/playing spider solitaire; sometimes while i'm waiting for dinner!!! eat the whole can in one sitting, every single time!!! i don't think i've ever known about smoked clams, though. i love clams, so i probably would like them a lot. i'll have to try to find them, although i do see that you can make this dish with the smoked oysters, too. THOSE i ALWAYS have in my pantry! can't wait to try this! keep up the iron infusions any way you can, kiddo; got to beat that anemia at its source!!! :D talk soon.
Posted by: Lizz | July 04, 2008 at 06:26 PM