Description
Ina Garten’s summer skillet with clams, sausage, and corn brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to home kitchens. Seasonal ingredients meld together, creating a simple yet elegant dish perfect for relaxed summer dining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 32 fresh littleneck clams, cleaned
- 3 cups fresh corn kernels (4 to 5 ears)
- 1 lb (454 g) vine-ripened tomatoes, diced into ½-inch pieces
- ¾ lb (340 g) sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1½ cups small-diced yellow onion (1 large)
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsps fresh basil, cut into thin strips
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio)
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter, cut into large pieces
- Olive oil
- French bread, for serving
Instructions
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, gently sautéing onions until translucent and soft, creating a fragrant base for the dish.
- Sausage Transformation: Crumble sausage into the skillet, browning thoroughly until crispy and golden, infusing the pan with rich, meaty flavors.
- Flavor Layering: Introduce corn kernels, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, stirring to harmonize the ingredients and intensify their natural essence.
- Wine and Butter Infusion: Deglaze the skillet with white wine, then dot with butter chunks, creating a luscious liquid foundation that will elevate the seafood’s delicate profile.
- Clam Steaming: Arrange clams in the skillet with hinged sides down, covering and allowing them to steam until they dramatically pop open, signaling perfect doneness.
- Culinary Presentation: Plate the aromatic mixture into serving bowls, adorning with delicate basil chiffonade and serving alongside crusty French bread to complete this summer-inspired feast.
Notes
- Freshness Matters: Use fresh, high-quality clams and remove any with cracked shells or that remain closed after cooking to ensure food safety and optimal taste.
- Wine Selection Tip: Choose a crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the seafood and adds depth to the dish’s flavor profile.
- Sausage Sizzle Secret: Select a spicy Italian sausage to introduce an extra layer of complexity and heat that beautifully balances the sweet corn and briny clams.
- Timing is Crucial: Watch clams carefully during steaming – discard any that don’t open after 12 minutes, as they may indicate spoilage and pose potential health risks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg