Abundant Seafood Aglio e Olio Pasta
A Luxurious Seafood Pasta to Enjoy at Home
Create a delightful and impressive seafood pasta effortlessly, using any leftover seafood you have. The rich umami from fresh seafood, combined with aromatic garlic and fragrant herbs, creates a symphony of flavors. It’s the perfect choice for special occasions or simply elevating an ordinary meal.
Main Ingredients- 5 large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 scallop (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 100g fresh clams (purged)
- 80g spaghetti
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing your aromatics. Thinly slice the garlic, and finely mince the onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes and set aside. Gently crush the red chili flakes for a touch of heat. Finely chop the fresh parsley and basil to add a burst of freshness later.
Step 2
Next, prepare the seafood. Cut the scallop into bite-sized pieces. Ensure the shrimp are peeled and deveined, then rinse them thoroughly. For the clams, soak them in lightly salted water for at least 30 minutes to purge any sand or grit, then wash them under running water until clean. Well-purged clams contribute significantly to the pasta’s flavor.
Step 3
Marinate the shrimp and scallops. In a bowl, combine the prepared shrimp and scallops with 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp white wine, and 1 Tbsp olive oil. Gently toss to coat and let it marinate for about 10 minutes. This step helps to remove any fishy odor and infuse flavor. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook for approximately 7 minutes, or until al dente. Reserve about a cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Drain the pasta well.
Step 4
Now, let’s build the flavorful sauce. Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Once the garlic aroma has bloomed, add the minced onion and crushed red chili flakes. Sauté for another minute until the onion becomes translucent.
Step 5
Add the marinated shrimp and scallops to the skillet. Sauté them quickly until they just turn opaque and are no longer pink. Avoid overcooking, as this can make them tough. Once cooked, remove the shrimp and scallops from the pan and set them aside on a plate. This technique helps retain their tender texture.
Step 6
Immediately add the purged clams to the same skillet. Stir-fry them until they begin to open. Pour in the white wine and let it bubble, allowing the alcohol to evaporate. Once the wine has reduced slightly, add about half a cup of the reserved pasta water. Cover the skillet and let the clams steam until they are fully opened. This process creates a delicious broth for the pasta.
Step 7
It’s time to bring everything together. Return the cooked shrimp and scallops to the skillet. Add the halved cherry tomatoes and the drained spaghetti. Sprinkle in the chopped basil, parsley, and a pinch of black pepper. Toss everything gently to combine and coat the pasta evenly. Finish by drizzling in about 1 more tablespoon of olive oil for a beautiful sheen.
Step 8
Serve the seafood pasta immediately onto warm plates. Garnish generously with grated Parmesan cheese. Your restaurant-quality seafood pasta is now ready to be enjoyed!