Calabrian Pasta With Porcini Mushrooms Recipe

Calabrian Pasta With Porcini Mushrooms Recipe

Ingredients

  • 400 g of fresh pasta (short pasta like fileja or long pasta like tagliatelle)
  • 400 g of fresh porcini mushrooms (if unavailable, dried porcini mushrooms can be used)
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Chili pepper (optional)
  • Freshly chopped parsley
  • Salt, to taste
  • White wine (optional, for deglazing)
  • Grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cleaning the porcini mushrooms:
    • If using fresh mushrooms, gently clean them with a damp cloth to remove any dirt. Avoid washing them under running water to prevent them from absorbing too much moisture.
    • Slice the mushrooms thinly. If using dried porcini mushrooms, soak them in warm water for about 20-30 minutes, then drain and reserve the soaking liquid after straining.
  2. Preparing the sauté:
    • In a large pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil and add the whole or crushed garlic cloves, depending on your preference.
    • Sauté the garlic over low heat until golden. If you like, add some chili pepper for a bit of spice.
  3. Cooking the mushrooms:
    • Add the sliced porcini mushrooms to the pan with the garlic and chili pepper.
    • Cook the mushrooms over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, stirring gently. If they release liquid, let it evaporate. If you wish, you can deglaze with a little white wine halfway through cooking.
    • Season with salt and continue cooking until the mushrooms are tender and aromatic.
  4. Cooking the pasta:
    • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fresh pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water.
  5. Combining the pasta and mushrooms:
    • Add the drained pasta directly to the pan with the mushrooms.
    • Toss everything together over medium-low heat, adding a little pasta cooking water if the sauce is too dry.
  6. Final touch:
    • Turn off the heat and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the pasta to add a touch of freshness.
    • If desired, sprinkle some grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese before serving.

Serving

Serve the pasta hot, perhaps with an extra drizzle of olive oil to enhance the flavors, and if you like, a bit more parsley or chili pepper.

This recipe brings the authentic taste of Calabrian autumn to the table!