Pasta Party #3

This is another side dish I fall back on when I need something fast and easy, and it qualifies for Louise's Pasta Party.  It's not the conventional way to make white clam sauce, but everyone here loves it.

PASTA WITH WHITE CLAM SAUCE AS A SIDE

1 pound linguini, spaghetti or angel hair
2 6-ounce cans of whole clams
olive oil
3 minced garlic cloves
1 bunch scallions, chopped
1 bunch parsley, chopped
copious amounts of fresh ground black pepper
2 cups pasta cooking water
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Pour some of the cooking water into a 2 cup measuring cup, and set aside, then drain the pasta and put your pot lid on top of the colander to keep the pasta hot. Return your pot to the stove, and pour enough olive oil into the pot to just cover the bottom. Turn the stove to medium heat and saute the minced garlic and scallions for a minute. Add the parsley, and cook another minute. Add the clams with the juice from the can, quickly heat through, then add the pasta back to the pan and turn off the heat. Stir the pasta to combine it with the sauce, and add enough of the reserved pasta water to give it your desired consistency. Serve at once.

And, since Louis mentioned it response to my first Pasta Party Post, here's the quintessential side for pasta:

ITALIAN BREAD

1-1/2 Cups warm water
2 tbsp yeast
4 cups flour
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp sugar

Put the ingredients in your mixing bowl or bread machine bucket in the order listed.  Mix, let rise, form and let rise according to my directions over there ------------->  Brush the tops with warm water and bake at 375F for about 18 minutes (more if you like your crust darker), or 16 minutes in a convection oven, and enjoy the crunchy goodness.

I don't even need a recipe for this one, it's so basic and easy.  And you can use the little round slices to make itty bitty grilled sandwiches the next day, or even toast to go with your eggs!

So, if Louise will allow it, this is Pasta Party entry #4.  If not, that's OK; I hope she enjoys it anyway!  She's going to be posting the whole party on Friday, so I'll remind you all to visit her then!