Linguine with Clams and Marinara Sauce

For a succulent seafood and pasta dinner, try this clam-based linguine with homemade marinara sauce. The pesto and red pepper flakes give it a little zing while your taste buds delight in the freshness.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ¼ cup chopped shallots
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 cans (6 ounces each) minced clams
• 1-1/3 cups homemade marinara sauce (see recipe below)
• 2 tablespoons prepared pesto
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 8 ounces uncooked linguine
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in large nonstick saucepan over medium heat until hot. Add shallots and garlic. Cook, covered, 2 minutes.

2. Drain clams; reserve 1/2 cup juice. Add clams, reserved juice, marinara sauce, pesto and red pepper to saucepan. Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Prepare linguine according to package directions, omitting salt. Drain. Spoon marinara sauce evenly over each serving; top with parsley. Garnish with lemon slices and additional parsley, if desired. Serves 4.

Marinara Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 ounces) Italian plum tomatoes, undrained
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 3 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes.

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 1/4 of total recipe

• Calories = 398
• Total Fat = 6 g
• Saturated Fat = 1 g
• Carbohydrate = 54 g
• Protein = 32 g
• Fiber = 4 g
• Sodium = 293 mg
• Cholesterol = 58 mg

Dietary Exchange:

• Meat = 3
• Starch = 2 ½
• Vegetable = 2 ½

Source: http://www.diabeticcooking.com