There are many recipes for a tomato-heavy clam bake, and for good reason. This version uses fregola – a grain-sized lightly toasted Sardinian pasta – which is gently baked in a smoky vodka-spiked bush tomato sauce. It’s time to get your clam bake on.
Ingredients
Method
Preheat oven to 180°C fan-forced. Cook fregola in a saucepan of salted boiling water until al dente (10 minutes). Drain.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add shallot, garlic and lemon zest and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened (4-5 minutes). Add tomato, bush tomato, spices, sugar and vinegar and season, then bring to a simmer. Gently squash tomato with back of a spoon and simmer until sauce is slightly reduced (3-4 minutes). Stir in vodka, butter and 60ml (¼ cup) water until combined. Remove from the heat.
Spoon fregola, clams and tomato sauce into 2-litre (8-cup) ovenproof dish. Tightly wrap with two layers of aluminium foil; bake until clams open (18-20 minutes).
Meanwhile, for herb crème fraîche, combine all ingredients in a bowl and season to taste.
Spoon over herb crème fraîche. Top with baby herbs and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Fregola is available from select Italian delicatessens or grocers. Bush tomatoes are available from Herbie’s Spices online.
Note