Hearty Seafood Pasta and Bean Medley
Experience the rich flavors of the sea with this Hearty Seafood Pasta and Bean Medley. This delightful recipe combines fresh mussels, clams, and calamari with tender cannellini beans and pasta, all brought together in a savory broth infused with pancetta, garlic, and tomatoes. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special gathering, this dish not only brings a taste of the ocean to your table, but it's also packed with nutrients, making it a wholesome meal. Serve it hot, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil, and topped with fresh parsley for a spring of freshness!
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
small mussels
1 lb (cleaned and beards removed)
small clams
1 lb (cleaned)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
pancetta
2 ounces (finely chopped)
medium onion
1 (finely chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
cannellini beans
3 cups (drained and cooked)
chopped tomato
1 cup (fresh)
calamari
1/2 lb (cut into 1-inch rings)
salt
to taste
fresh ground black pepper
to taste
spaghetti
8 ounces (broken into 1-inch pieces)
fresh flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
extra virgin olive oil
for drizzling
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the mussels: Soak them in cold water for 30 minutes to remove any sand or grit. Scrub the mussels with a stiff brush and remove any barnacles or seaweed. Pull off any beards by gently pulling them towards the narrow end of the shells. Discard any mussels with cracked shells or that do not close tightly when tapped.
2
In a large pot, add the cleaned mussels along with 1/2 cup of cold water. Cover the pot and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the mussels have opened. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the mussels to a bowl.
3
Next, add the clams to the same pot and cover it. Cook until the clams have opened, approximately 5 minutes. Remove the clams and set them aside.
4
Strain the remaining liquid from the pot through a paper coffee filter into a bowl and reserve it for later.
5
Carefully remove the mussels and clams from their shells and place the seafood in a bowl. Discard the shells.
6
In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped pancetta, onion, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes or until the mixture becomes tender and golden.
7
Stir in the drained cannellini beans, chopped tomatoes, and calamari. Pour in the reserved shellfish juices and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
8
Once the broth is simmering, add the seafood back into the pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until just cooked through.
9
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broken spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until tender. Drain the pasta and add it to the seafood soup, mixing well. If the soup is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water to achieve the desired consistency.
10
Stir in the chopped parsley just before serving. Serve the soup hot, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil for a finishing touch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hearty Seafood Pasta and Bean Medley?
It is a rich and wholesome dish combining fresh mussels, clams, and calamari with cannellini beans and pasta in a savory broth infused with pancetta, garlic, and tomatoes.
What types of seafood are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1 lb of small mussels, 1 lb of small clams, and 1/2 lb of calamari cut into 1-inch rings.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to provide 6 servings.
How should I prepare the mussels for cooking?
Soak the mussels in cold water for 30 minutes to remove sand, scrub them with a stiff brush, and remove any beards or seaweed.
What should I do with mussels that have cracked shells?
Discard any mussels that have cracked shells or those that do not close tightly when tapped.
How long do the mussels and clams take to steam?
Mussels and clams should each be cooked in a covered pot for approximately 5 minutes until they have opened.
Do I need to keep the liquid from steaming the shellfish?
Yes, you should strain the liquid through a paper coffee filter and reserve it to be used in the soup broth.
Should the shellfish be served in their shells?
No, you should carefully remove the mussels and clams from their shells and discard the shells before adding the meat back to the pot.
What kind of beans are used in this seafood medley?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of cooked and drained cannellini beans.
What aromatics are used for the base of the soup?
The base is made using 2 ounces of finely chopped pancetta, one medium onion, and two minced garlic cloves.
How long should I sauté the pancetta and onion mixture?
Sauté the mixture over medium heat for about 10 minutes until it becomes tender and golden.
When do I add the calamari to the dish?
Add the calamari at the same time as the cannellini beans and chopped tomatoes, before pouring in the reserved shellfish juices.
How long does the broth need to simmer?
The broth mixture should simmer for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before adding the cooked seafood back in.
How long do I cook the seafood once it is returned to the pot?
Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the seafood is just cooked through.
What type of pasta is recommended?
The recipe uses 8 ounces of spaghetti broken into 1-inch pieces.
How is the pasta added to the dish?
Cook the broken spaghetti in salted water until tender, drain it, and then mix it directly into the seafood soup.
What can I do if the seafood soup is too thick?
If the consistency is too thick, you can add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water to thin it out.
What fresh herb is used for garnishing?
Two tablespoons of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley are stirred in just before serving.
How should the Hearty Seafood Pasta and Bean Medley be served?
Serve it hot, drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil for a finishing touch.
Are the tomatoes used in this recipe fresh or canned?
The ingredients list specifies 1 cup of fresh chopped tomato.
How much olive oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing the aromatics.
Why is it important to filter the shellfish liquid?
Filtering through a coffee filter ensures that any remaining sand or grit is removed from the flavorful juices.
How do you remove the 'beard' from a mussel?
The beard is removed by gently pulling it towards the narrow end of the mussel shell.
What is the purpose of the pancetta in this recipe?
The pancetta provides a savory, salty depth to the broth base.
Can I use different types of beans?
While the recipe calls for cannellini beans, they are specified for their creamy texture and ability to pair well with seafood.
What size should the spaghetti pieces be?
The spaghetti should be broken into approximately 1-inch pieces.
Is this dish seasoned with specific spices?
It is seasoned simply with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
How much water is used to steam the mussels initially?
Add 1/2 cup of cold water to the pot when steaming the mussels.
What makes this a 'hearty' meal?
The combination of protein-rich seafood, beans, and pasta makes it a dense and nutrient-packed wholesome meal.
Is this recipe suitable for a special gathering?
Yes, the recipe description notes it is perfect for both cozy family dinners and special gatherings.