Vermicelli with Clams and Red Sauce / Vermicelli al Vongole

Directions

1. Pour 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a large sauté pan.  Heat the oil over medium heat, then add the clams.  Cover the pan, shake it a couple of times and cook the clams until they open.  Remove them from their shells, but keep about 6 whole in the shell for garnish.  Reserve the liquid from the pan, straining it if necessary to remove any sediment.  Set the liquid aside.
2. In the same pan heat the remaining oil and add the garlic and hot red pepper and cook until the garlic begins to soften but does not turn color.  Stir in the tomatoes and cook over medium high heat for 3 or 4 minutes.  Lower the heat to medium and stir in the reserved clam juice.  Cook uncovered until the sauce thickens a bit.  Salt and pepper to taste. 
3. Add the reserved shucked clams and the parsley.  Keep the sauce warm, covered, over low heat.
4. Cook the vermicelli until al dente; drain and add to the sauce in the saucepan.  Transfer the mixture to a serving platter and garnish with the whole clams.