Clam Toasts With Pancetta Food

LINGUINE WITH CLAMS AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until browned, 1 minute. Add the pancetta and anchovies and cook, stirring, until browned, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the clams, then stir in the wine. Cover and cook over high heat until the clams open, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the clams to a large bowl (discard any clams that do not open). Cover to keep warm.
• Add the chicken broth to the skillet and cook until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Add the pasta to the skillet along with 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water. Simmer, tossing, until the pasta is well coated and the sauce thickens slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Add more cooking water to loosen, if needed. Stir in the clams and any juices. Add the parsley, red pepper flakes and lemon juice; season with salt. Divide among bowls.

CLAMS WITH PANCETTA AND SCALLIONS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook 3 minutes, until golden brown. Add scallions, clams and the vermouth (if using) and simmer 1 minute. Add 1 cup of the broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer 5 to 7 minutes, until shells open. Discard any shells that do not open.
• With a slotted spoon, remove clams from pan and set aside. Simmer 2 minutes until sauce thickens. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Serve 1/2 of the clams (24 to 36) over rice and cover with thickened sauce. Top with parsley and serve with the Garlic Toast. Reserve the remaining clams (about 2 dozen) for fettuccine, if desired.
• Cut the baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Place the bread slices on a baking sheet and drizzle some olive oil over them. Bake for about 10 minutes, until golden and crispy. While still warm, rub the garlic clove on the toasts.

CLAM TOASTS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium. Add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until brown and crisp, 5-7 minutes. Add sliced garlic and cook, stirring often, until garlic is golden around the edges, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and add sweet onion and chopped fennel. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and onion is translucent, 6-8 minutes. Add lemon zest, bay leaf, ground fennel,1/2 cup wine and a pinch of salt. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until wine is mostly reduced but mixture is still a little bit saucy, about 3 minutes. Transfer soffritto to a medium bowl; discard lemon zest and bay leaf. Wipe out skillet.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in same skillet over medium. Arrange bread slices in skillet and cook until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Cut 1 garlic clove in half and rub one side of each toast with cut side of garlic. Wipe out skillet.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in same skillet over medium. Crush remaining garlic clove with the side of a chef's knife and cook, stirring often, until it begins to turn golden, about 1 minute. Add clams, soffritto, and remaining 1/2 cup wine. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, until liquid is reduced by half and clams are open (discard any that do not open), 5-7 minutes. Add parsley and fennel fronds and cook 1 minute longer. Taste and season with salt if needed.
• To serve, place fried bread on plates and spoon clam mixture and cooking broth over. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
• Do Ahead
• Soffritto can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.