Linguine & Clams in White Wine Sauce

I was inspired to make this after watching a segment of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network. It looked so simple, and after rewinding and rewatching several times, found how true that was. I had to guess on the amounts of some of these, and all turned out delicious.

• 3-4 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 can whole baby clams
• 6 fresh clams* for presentation (I left out)
  
• 1 cup white wine
• 1 cup half & half (or 1/2 cup cream and 1/2 cup milk)
  
• 1 tbsp butter
• chopped basil
• ground pepper
• 1/2 lb of linguine
  

While cooking the clam sauce, cook the noodles (7 minutes according to instructions). To a pan, add the garlic, then baby clams, (then the fresh clams, ) then white wine, then half & half, and let it all reduce until the liquid is below the top of the mound of baby clams (about 10 minutes). Add the butter, basil, pepper, and mix well, then remove from heat. Remove noodles from water then top with clam mixture. Finally, top with Parmesan cheese.

This dish was so easy and so tasty. I can't wait to make it again.