I know it’s Thanksgiving week and this recipe isn’t very Thanksgiving-ish but it’s a dish that my grandma would’ve loved. And when we lost her almost a couple of weeks ago, I dealt with the sadness the best way that I know how: Cook.

The last week and a half has been kind of a blur honestly. My grandma’s passing wasn’t unexpected but it still hurts nonetheless.We had her funeral this past Saturday and I couldn’t bring myself to speak. It’s easier for me to do it here. And just as healing I think.

I am just trying to remember her and all the wonderful memories that we had. My grandma was a very fun and funny lady. And she was also that grandma that was always offering you food. Even after you said no 3 times, she still gave you some and say “you should eat.”

And the food that grandma always, always loved were shrimp and clams. Every time I would see her, which was once or twice a year, there was bound to be a batch of steamer clams or sauteed shrimp around. I would say “are you hungry grandma? What should we have?” And she would get this little smile on her face and say “Let’s have grandpa takes us to get some clams!”

I cherished those times.

I will cherish those times forever.

And I will miss her. I will miss her laugh. I will miss her smile. I will miss the way she just liked to sit on the couch, watch movies and hold hands. I will miss the way that she would pretend to get so offended and tell my grandpa when I would stick my tongue out at her when he wasn’t looking. It was a game we played from the time I was a little girl. I will miss her always insisting that she was 39 years old.

I will just miss her. Forever.

And whenever I make this pasta, it’ll be like I’m dining with her one more time. I love you grandma, always.

 

Shrimp and Clam Linguine
10m
Prep
15m
Cook
25m
Total

Servings

4

Ingredients

  • 1 13.75 oz box dried multi-grain linguine
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 small red onion (diced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 pound medium prawns (peeled and deviened)
  • 1 pound manila clams (scrubbed)
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • salt

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
  2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add in onions and garlic. Cook just until the onions soften, about 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Add in the clams and wine. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Add in the shrimp cover and cook for 3 - 5 more minutes or until the clams have opened and the prawns are cooked through. Add linguine to the pot and toss to combine. Serve.
★★★★★ 5.0 (1 reviews)
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Deseree

Whether it is cooking it, eating it, shopping for it or watching TV about it, food is one of my favorite things.

16 Reviews

  1. Deseree June 25, 2025

    Thank you for your nice comments, Lisa. You are welcome and I’m glad this story could bring you back some memories of your grandma. I hope you enjoyed this recipe :)

  2. Lisa June 25, 2025

    I’m making this dish tonight, but I’m writing about your wonderful beautiful story of your Grandma.
    You wrote the words that I couldn’t about my Grandma as well.
    It read as if they were sisters for me.
    I want to say thank you & am happy that you had shared time together ❤️
    Aloha,
    Lisa

  3. Cynthia Parrino June 11, 2023

    I did all three but I did vegetable broth, dry white wine 2 tablespoons of butter. I did the ten cherry tomatoes halved. It was very good

  4. Louis Morucci January 18, 2023

    So simple, so delicious…Never do red version again!

  5. Vivian Aulet December 28, 2022

    Changed things a bit because I was missing items, swapped wine for chicken stock and added lemon juice.
    Added parsley and a light sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
    Used butter instead of oil and added a little cream.
    Came out great but would add a little starch to the sauce next time so it binds better.

  6. Deseree October 31, 2022

    Aww thanks Mama! I miss her so!

  7. Mom October 30, 2022

    What A wonderful dedication. For Dia de los Muertos I’m gonna make this recipe in honor of her. Thanks for sharing baby

  8. Brady Switzer July 17, 2022

    Mmmm! This is a delicious recipe. We got really fresh clams and really fresh shrimp. Added a bit of butter, red pepper flakes, 1/8 cup of pasta water and 10 chopped cherry tomatoes and it was fantastic. Not too dry and not too sloppy, just terrific. A real winner when we are in the mood for this dish.

  9. me December 8, 2019

    Just looking don’t know

  10. Deseree March 6, 2019

    Thank you for sharing your story too! I hope you enjoyed it! :)

  11. Donna March 6, 2019

    I was so touched by your story, I have always cooked since I was about 8 yrs. old. My mother passed away not expected and it was the hardest moment of my life and cooking is my outlet. She was the one who taught me to cook. I am cooking this tonight but improvising some ingredients. Thanks for your story and will enjoy!!

  12. Jennifer October 30, 2018

    I have made this recipe several times now for my family it now is one of my favorites I hope to pass this one down to my grandchildren too. So very good. I love it!!

  13. Deseree November 28, 2013

    Thank you Rebecca. I agree.

  14. Deseree November 28, 2013

    Thank you for your condolences. I agree about the tears and smiles. Same thing has been happening to me the last few days.

  15. PRBliss November 26, 2013

    You have my deepest sympathy regarding the loss of your grandmother. I miss mine so much that it hurts, but then those beautiful memories come flooding in and along with the tears, come the smiles.

  16. Rebecca November 25, 2013

    I’m glad she was a grandma you will always miss. Without her, the world will never be the same.

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