Dec 12 Clam, Italian Sausage & Tomato Soup

ITALIAN SOUPS ARE USUALLY HIGHLY FLAVOURED WITH LOTS OF GARLIC, ONIONS AND HEARTY HERBS SUCH AS SAGE, ROSEMARY OR OREGANO

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Pinch of chile flakes
• 1 sweet red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried thyme
• 2 hot Italian sausages, cooked and cut into 1/2″ (1.3 cm) pieces
• 1, 28 oz (796 mL) can diced tomatoes with juice
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) tomato paste
• 4 cups (1 L) water (or stock)
• 1 lb (500 g) live clams, cleaned
• Lemon zest for garnish

Directions

Heat oil in a skillet set over medium-high heat; add onions and sauté until just starting to brown. Add garlic and chilies, sauté 1 minute. Add diced peppers, herbs and sausage. Sauté for about 3 to 5 minutes. Add diced tomato, tomato paste and water. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. About 20 minutes before serving, bring soup back to a boil, add clams and steam until clams open, discarding any that don’t. Garnish with
lemon zest.

Serves 4