ITALIAN SHELLFISH & PASTA

Having recently eaten at a local independent Italian restaurant this past week I was upset at how expensive the meal I really wanted was and then very disappointed with the meal I ended up getting (my husband got sick from it) and I left frustrated. You know, sometimes you just want someone else to cook! And for the prices paid, you want a good meal! So later in the week while at my local supermarket, I spied fresh clams and mussels and so I knew what would be for dinner! The meal I had REALLY wanted at that local restaurant!

So I purchased everything for the meal, including the bread and salad and a bottle of white wine to cook with, all for under $18.00. I was so happy. I rushed home and threw together the best meal in under 30 minutes (Rachel Ray could use this recipe). It made enough for 2 nights and a lunch! So, sometimes you just have to cook for yourself to get it right. We had a great evening together, could hear ourselves talk and neither of us got sick!

RECIPE for 2:

Cooked Pasta (enough for 2 servings) I used spagetti for the DH, but I prefer fettucini noodles

Olive oil
1 minced garlic clove

10 mussels, washed and beards removed

10 small clams

10 shrimp (or more)

1 can of good chicken broth

1 cup of dry white wine (cheap is fine)

6 plum tomatoes, skins removed and chopped (placed in boiling water for 5 minutes to remove skin)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

salt, pepper and Italian seasoning to taste

In a large saute pan with 2 tablespoons of olive oil with garlic. Add half of the chicken broth, saute the mussels and clams over medium high heat until they open. The clams will take longer. Remove any that don't open after about 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Add the shrimp and cook just until pink- don't over cook, remove and place in bowl with other. Add the white wine and the remaining broth with the seasonings. Cook until the alcohol is evaporated (about 5 minutes) Return the seafood back to the pan and add the tomatoes and basil- heat through and serve with the cooked pasta- Fantastico!