Clam Sauce

• 4 dozen littleneck clams or 4 pounds West Coast steamer clams or cockles
• Flour or cornmeal, for purging the clams
• 1/2 cup extra-virigin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 5 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine

1. Place the clams in a large bowl and cover with cool water.
2. Stir a handful of flour or cornmeal into the water so that the clams will purge themselves of sand or other foreign matter.
3. refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
4. When you are ready to use the clams, scrub them well with a clean, stiff brush.
5. In a deep nonreactive saute pan or saucepan large enough to hold the clams, combine the olive oil, parsley, oregano and crushed red pepper.
6. Stir in the garlic and cook gently over moderate heat until softened but not colored, about 4 minutes.
7. Pour in the wine and cook for about 3 minutes to burn off the alcohol.
8. Add the clams and cover immediately.
9. Increase the heat to high and cook until the clams open, 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the kind of clams.
10. Discard any clams that did not open.
11. Set aside a few clams with their shells for garnishing.
12. Then remove the remaining clams from their shells; discard the shells and return the clams to the broth to heat through.

littleneck clams, flour, extravirigin olive oil, parsley, fresh oregano, red pepper, garlic, white wine

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/clam-sauce (may not work)