A large white plate with a mound of spaghetti coated in vibrant red gochujang sauce with steaming clams, sprinkled with chopped green onions, red pepper flakes, and grated parmesan cheese on top.

Spicy Clam Pasta in Gochujang Sauce

Name: Spicy Clam Pasta in Gochujang Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: fresh spaghetti, 1/2 pound; small to medium-sized clams, 18; garlic cloves, 4 sliced; olive oil, 1/4 cup; dry white wine, 1/4 cup; clam juice, 1/4 cup; gochujang sauce, 2 tablespoons; unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons; red pepper flakes, 1/2 tablespoon; green onions, 1/4 cup chopped; parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup grated; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Pescatarian

Daily Recipe: February 16, 2023

Inspired by New York City's diverse cuisine, this 'Fusion' recipe is perfect for a mild February evening. We're combining the iconic flavors of southern Italy's spaghetti alle vongole with the spicy kick of Korean cuisine. Fresh spaghetti and clams mixed with spicy gochujang sauce make this seasonal dish exciting.

Ingredients (for 2)

Fresh spaghetti - 1/2 pound
Small to medium-sized clams - 18
Garlic cloves - 4 - sliced
Olive oil - 1/4 cup
Dry white wine - 1/4 cup
Clam juice - 1/4 cup
Gochujang sauce - 2 tablespoons
Unsalted butter - 2 tablespoons
Red pepper flakes - 1/2 tablespoon
Green onions - 1/4 cup - chopped
Parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup - grated
Salt - to taste
Black pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🧼💦🐚

Clean the clams several times to remove grit and sand.
Step 2 - 🌊🔥🍝

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil while prepping the clams.
Step 3 - 🔥🧄🍶

In a large pan, heat olive oil and sliced garlic over low-medium heat and stir frequently for 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
Step 4 - 🌶️🧈💥

Add the gochujang sauce, butter, and red pepper flakes to the pan and cook for 30 seconds.
Step 5 - 🍷🍲🧄💨

Pour white wine and clam juice into the pan. Increase heat to medium and allow aromas to integrate for a couple of minutes.
Step 6 - 🍝🕰️🧊🍃

Cook pasta according to the package directions in the boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
Step 7 - 🐚❌🍲💃

Discard any clams that did not open. Now add clam shells and its juices into the pan. Toss the clams with the sauce.
Step 8 - 🍝👩‍🍳💃

Add cooked spaghetti to the pan and toss to coat the spaghetti with the sauce.
Step 9 - 🥣➕💧

If the sauce is too thick, add pasta water to adjust consistency.
Step 10 - 🧂🧂😋

Season the dish with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 11 - 🧅🧀🌿🥢

Add green onions and grated parmesan, give it a quick toss over heat, and then remove from heat.
Step 12 - 🍽️🍝🧀🌶️🧅

Transfer to a plate, sprinkle extra parmesan, red flakes, and green onions on top. Serve immediately.

Additional

This recipe can easily be modified to be spicier or milder by adjusting the amount of gochujang sauce and red pepper flakes. Don't forget to serve it with a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc to soothe the heat. Kids can help with clam cleaning and mixing the sauce. They'll enjoy seeing the clams open in the pan.