Roasted Garlic Bread & Linguine with Clam Sauce

Man this was a good dinner! I've been day dreaming about making this in our new condo (on my new stove) and the night finally arrived. This meal was so easy to make and so satisfying. Comfort food to the max - the only way to end a long week. If you roast the garlic ahead of time, this meal takes about 30-45 minutes. Honestly the garlic bread was THE best I've ever had. Make this - the subtle roasted garlic flavor is to die for.

Roasted Garlic Bread

2 Bulbs of Roasted Garlic

1 Stick of Butter Softened

1/8 Cup of Grated Parmesan Cheese

Salt & Lots of Black Pepper
1 Loaf of French Bread

To roast the garlic, cut the top off each bulb so you expose each clove (basically cut the dips of the cloves off too). Drizzle the bulbs with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Wrap each with foil and roast in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes or until cloves become golden brown and caramelized. Cool roasted garlic and add to softened butter. Mix with a fork well and add salt, pepper, and cheese. Cut french bread length wise and spread mixture evenly. Good on top track until cooked evenly. Be very careful not to brown the top too much - garlic will become VERY bitter.

Linguine with Clam Sauce

5 Cloves of Garlic

1 Stick of Butter (shhh it's fine)

2 Cans of Chopped Clams

1 Cup of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

1/2 Tsp of White Pepper

1/4 Tsp of Black Pepper

1/4 Cup of Parmesan

1 Tbs of Chopped Parsley

Cook 1.5 lbs of fresh pasta for 2-3 minutes or until al dente, drain, and set aside. Melt butter in a large skillet. Once heated through and butter becomes frothy, finely chop the garlic and add to butter. Cook and stir for 2 minutes until garlc begins to soften. Add chopped clams with juice to skillet and saute until sauce is simmering evenly. Add wine and simmer for 2 - 3 minutes until sauce reduces and begins to thicken. Add parmesan cheese and both white and black pepper and take off the heat. Toss pasta in skillet, finish with parsley and a little more parmesan, and serve immediately.