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Kid-friendly Pasta in Clam Sauce

SERVES: 4
Do you think it’s a lost cause getting your kiddo to try seafood – much less, clams? Let’s try something. Here is a clever and cute incentive for the young ones to at least try something perhaps they normally would not. And if it doesn’t work, that means more pasta in clam sauce for you, and a fun family craft for everyone. No one loses!
INGREDIENTS
- 8 – 12 cherrystone clams (or whatever clams you prefer and can find fresh – it will be the shells that ultimately provide the excitement about finishing and trying this dish…)
- 3 Tbsp Wildfare Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Children
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic, grated on a micro plane (again, we are introducing flavor, but more subtly)
- ¼ medium shallot, grated on a micro plane
- ½ cup dry white wine (one you would drink – a Sauvignon Blanc would be quite nice) - optional
- 1 Cup vegetable or chicken broth (usually we would use clam juice, but we are trying to ease our youngest into appreciating something they may not be automatically enthused about)
- 1 can of quality whole baby clams
- 1 - 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (if out of season, use 1 tsp dried)
- 1 - 2 Tbsp fresh basil, chiffonade cut (if out of season, use 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tsp. seafood seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 package of Wildfare Vegan & Organic Spinach Fettuccine Pasta
For the craft portion, you will also need:
- Googly eyes
- Foam or paper to create tongues (stay with me here)
- Quick Dry Tacky Glue for Kids (choose your favorite brand)

These are the minimum embellishments. Let your kids’ imagination run wild!
PREPARATION
1
Fill a medium pot with an inch of water and a pinch of salt. The pot should have a well-fitting lid.
2
Scrub the fresh clams under cold water. If any open clams do not close, discard them. (And talk to your fish monger.)
3
Place the clean clams into the pot of water, cover, and bring to a low boil under medium high heat. Depending on the size, the clams should open in 3-4 minutes. If any clams do not open, discard them. (And, again, talk to your fish monger.) This might be an excellent time to edify your kids about the nature of bivalves. Then again, you might just want to celebrate the miracle of shellfish without an overt lesson…
4
Take the clam meat out of two or three of the shells (more, if you wish) and set aside. Gently wash the opened, empty shells when they have cooled taking care to remove any remaining clam meat and not break the natural hinge. Set aside to dry for future crafting.
5
Heat Wildfare Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Children and butter in a medium pot on medium heat. Add garlic and shallot. (Micro plane it right into the pot. Avoid larger minced chunks. Save some dishes.) Saute for 2-3 minutes.
6
Add the wine. You can forego the wine in this recipe if you wish because of the kiddos (even though the alcohol will cook out after a minute or two).
7
Add the broth and the canned clams, including the liquid. Add half the parsley and basil. Add seafood seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer for 10 minutes.
8
In another medium pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the Wildfare Organic & Vegan Spinach Fettuccine for 4 minutes.
9
Place the previously liberated clam meat and the remaining opened, cooked clams in their shells back into the clam sauce one minute before serving.
10
Drain the spinach pasta, toss with the sauce, and spoon into bowls making sure everyone gets a couple of clams still in the shells. If this is going to be a deal breaker, just remove the cooked clams and add to the sauce (chopping the clams if necessary).
11
Garnish with the remaining parsley and basil.
12
Remind the intrepid eaters of the fun craft project that awaits them after dinner!
Craft Project – Clam Characters
14
Assemble the clean and dry clam shells, googly eyes, pink construction paper or foam, and Quick Dry Tacky Glue for Kids on newspaper or paper bags.
15
Have your kiddo(s) pick the googly eyes they want and if necessary, help them glue the eyes on the top half of the open shell. While the glue dries…
16
Draw a tongue on the paper or foam and then cut it out. Adult assistance may be required. Glue the tongue onto the inside bottom of the open shell.
17
Taa-daa! Now you’ve got a clam with personality! Keep going…one for each kid…create a clam band…a family portrait in clams…have fun with it!


*DISCLAIMER
September 2022 – Confidential and Proprietary to Wildfare, All Rights Reserved.
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