Here is a recipe for Portuguese Pasta with Clams and Chouriço. It is a deliciously traditional and hearty Portuguese dish which provides many of the best flavors in Portuguese cooking. Flavorful and a bit spicy Portuguese chouriço in combination with some perfectly cooked clams makes for a very tasty dish which is sure to impress. You must find Portuguese style chouriço for this dish, Spanish chorizo will not do as many recipes will have you think, it just does not contain the rich flavor and spicy kick you find in Portuguese chouriço. Try it out and tell us what you think!

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 pound Portuguese chouriço, sliced into thin pieces
1 onion, thinly sliced
1.5 pounds clams (preferrably littleneck)
4 tomatoes, coarsely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup shredded basil leaves
1 cup white wine
3/4 pound linguine
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
pinch of cayenne pepper

Directions:
1) Preheat the oven to 450°.
2) Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan.
3) Add the chourico and onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and the chouriço begins to brown, about 5 minutes.
4) Stir in the cayenne. Arrange the clams in the saucepan and add the tomatoes, garlic and 1/4 cup of the basil on top.
5) Add the wine and roast in the oven, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir the clams and roast for about 20 minutes longer, or until most of the clams have opened.
6) Meanwhile, cook the linguine in a pot of boiling salted water until al dente.
7) Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large serving bowl.
8) Pour the chouriço clam sauce over the linguine, season with salt and pepper to taste and toss to combine.
9) Garnish the linguine with the remaining 1/4 cup of basil, serve and enjoy!

This recipe was inspired by our friends over at Food & Wine so check them out as well!