Once I had a boyfriend named "Claudio... gorgeous, Italian, living in Bogota, Columbia.  I met him at the farm where I kept my horses...  He was here to do some business as a consultant with a major international corporation who had business in Columbia.  Well, whoever got done with the horses first would go up to the house to start dinner, really a fun idea and we would all gather around this huge farm table in the kitchen..  anyway...  There I found Claudio chopping away in the kitchen... and I found out he could really cook...  He taught me how to make a wonderful white clam sauce...  I do my own twist to it..  but, I think you will love it too..  Have a glass of wine, a nice Pinot Grigio, while you are cooking and think of Claudio the beautiful Italian man.

CLAUDIO'S WHITE CLAM SAUCE

in a large deep skillet drizzle olive oil, any  kind about 3 tbls

add

3 extra large sweet onions sliced thin and quartered  (yep 3 onions) 

stir and cook on med high heat till translucent 

add 

4 cloves of garlic chopped thin  or 2 teas of garlic powder 

continue stirring till golden brown

add 3 bottles of clam juice and reduce heat to medium

let it go ...  while this is reducing, open a bottle of your favorite Pinot Grigio and have a glass

AND...don't forget to add a glass to the pot...  

This recipe needs to reduce down quite a bit.. so... this gives you time to set the table...  make a great salad of arugula, goat cheese , chives , toasted pine nuts and balsamic vinaigrette..

cook you favorite pasta...

AND...

 

if you are truly inspired... 

take a glass of white wine and put it in a medium skillet add rosemary and 2 tablespoon of confectioners sugar and reduce... 

when it starts to thicken pull off heat ... wait till after dinner... then throw a hand full of fresh berries into the sauce and stir..  

clear dishes 

scoop vanilla ice  cream into bowls..

top with sauce with berries .... a sprinkle of cinnamon and something green as garnish... 

THE PERFECT SIMPLE ITALIAN DINNER....MANGA!