Chive Linguine With Or Without Fresh Clams

• For the pasta
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons vermouth or dry white wine
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Kosher salt
• 1 pound linguine, fresh or dried
• 3/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives and chive blossoms
• For the clams (optional)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 garlic clove
• 2-3 pounds little neck clams, scrubbed

1. Whisk the yolks, cream, vermouth and pepper in a mixing bowl and set aside.
2. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water if not using clams.
3. If using clams, melt the butter in a large saute pan. Add the garlic clove and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the clams, cover the pot and steam until they all open, about 8 minutes.
4. When the linguine is al dente, drain it well and return it to the pot over low heat.Add the reserved egg mixture and stir until the sauce coats the pasta. Add the chives and stir to blend. (If you are not adding clams, add some of the reserved pasta water to keep the sauce creamy.)
5. If using clams, strain them from their liquid, add them to the pasta and stir to coat them in the sauce with enough of the cooking liquid to keep the sauce creamy.

pasta, egg yolks, heavy cream, white wine, freshly ground black pepper, kosher salt, linguine, chives, unsalted butter, garlic, neck clams

Taken from food52.com/recipes/76595-chive-linguine-with-or-without-fresh-clams (may not work)