Pasta Vongole with Fresh Clams Recipe, Stuffed Tomatoes & Oranges in Caramel

Cook pasta vongole with fresh clams, Mediterranean stuffed tomatoes, and oranges in caramel, plus a GP chat on appetite, BMI and mindful eating. In this Alive and Cooking episode, we start with tomatoes stuffed with black olives, parsley and garlic-rubbed wholemeal breadcrumbs. Halve firm beef or plum tomatoes, salt and rest cut-sides down for 1 to 2 hours. Scoop the flesh, mix with parsley and olives, knead into the oiled breadcrumbs, season, refill the shells, drizzle olive oil and grill until lightly browned. Finish with freshly grated Parmesan. In our Food Clinic, resident GP Dr Stephen A. Meale talks weight and body shape. He explains using BMI to gauge risk, why quick-fix appetite pills are rarely the answer, and how appetite signals come from the brain. Slow down, chew more, taste your food, and avoid distracted eating. For those needing to spark appetite, an aperitif such as a small glass of wine is discussed. For the main, we cook pasta vongole. Steam fresh clams for 6 to 8 minutes and discard any that do not open. Gently brown chopped garlic in a light oil, add clam juices, then toss with al dente dried spaghetti, lemon juice and flat-leaf parsley. Season lightly to let the clams shine. Jane also spotlights potatoes as a filling, vitamin C-rich carbohydrate and reminds us to watch the butter or oil before blaming the spud. On hydration, aim for 2 to 2.5 liters of water a day, sipping throughout. Drink bottled water the day it is opened, and choose still or sparkling as you like. To finish, oranges and caramel: peel and remove all pith, blanch fine orange peel strands, then drizzle hot caramel made with sugar and water - stirred with a wooden spoon - over stacked oranges. Add spun sugar, a splash of Grand Marnier if you like, and mint. Tell us which dish you will try next and subscribe for more Alive and Cooking. SEO: Primary keyword: pasta vongole. Secondary keywords: stuffed tomatoes, fresh clams, oranges and caramel, mindful eating, water intake. Search intent: Learn the pasta vongole method and two more recipes, plus GP insights on appetite, BMI and hydration. #PastaVongole #StuffedTomatoes #OrangesAndCaramel #MindfulEating #HealthyCooking #Clams #WaterIntake #AliveAndCooking