Season fish with salt and pepper. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan. Add fish to pan and cook 2 minutes on each side, carefully transfer to a plate with a thin spatula and loosely cover with foil.
Add another tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan, then add garlic, onions, red bell peppers and chopped hot peppers. Season veggies with salt and pepper. Saute 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add tomatoes and cook 1 minute more. Deglaze the pan the wine and bring up drippings with a wooden spoon. Slide fish back into pan and add manila clams. Cover the pan and reduce heat to simmer. Cook 5 minutes. Sprinkle parsley over the fish and clams and discard any unopened clams. Serve fish and clams on a bed of Orange and Almond couscous.
Orange and Almond Couscous:
2 ounces (1/4 cup) sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups plain couscous
2 navel oranges, zested
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, a handful
Toast nuts in the bottom of a medium saucepot over medium heat. Transfer toasted nuts to a dish and reserve. Return pot to the stove top. Add broth and oil, cover pot and raise heat; bring the broth to a boil. Remove pot from heat, immediately. Add couscous, orange zest and parsley, then stir. Cover and let couscous stand 5 minutes. Fluff cooked couscous with fork and toss with toasted almonds.
TIDBIT: Slice zested oranges and serve them after dinner.
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ease of Preparation: easy