Morels With Ruffled Pasta Food

FETTUCCINE WITH MORELS

Steps:

• Bring six to eight quarts of water to boil for the fettuccine.
• Scoop the dry morels up from their soaking liquid and squeeze them, letting them drain back into the bowl. Strain the soaking liquid through several layers of cheesecloth. Rinse the morels under running water and slice them.
• Prepare the fresh morels. Rinse them quickly under running water and dry them with paper towels. Slice the tops and stems.
• Soften the shallots in the butter in a skillet. Add the morels and the dried morels with their soaking liquid with the chicken stock and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cream and reduce until thickened enough to coat a spoon. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cook the fettuccine in the boiling water until al dente. Drain and combine in a heated bowl with the morels and the parsley. Toss immediately and serve, passing the Parmesan cheese separately.

PASTA WITH MORELS, PEAS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Bring to a boil 2 pots of water, one small and one large, and salt both. Cook the peas for 1 minute in the small pot; drain and cool quickly by submerging in ice water.
• Meanwhile, melt half the butter in a skillet. Cut the morels into 4 pieces each, the long way, and brown them lightly in the butter, seasoning them with salt and pepper.
• Cook the pasta until it is nearly done. Just before draining, toss the peas and remaining butter with the morels and turn the heat to medium. Drain the pasta, reserving a little of the cooking water. Toss the pasta with the morels and peas, adding a little water if necessary to make the mixture saucy. Toss with the Parmesan and lots of black pepper and serve immediately.

MORELS WITH RUFFLED PASTA

Steps:

• Bring about 6 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil, and add the ruffled pasta. Cook until it is al dente, about 8 minutes.
• While the water is coming to a boil, prepare the mushrooms: in a large skillet over a medium-high flame, heat the oil and add the onions and bell peppers. Sauté until they are slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add the morels, salt, sugar and soy sauce. Stir well, and simmer for 1 minute. Add the arrowroot mixture, and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute more. Adjust the salt to taste.
• Drain the pasta, and transfer it to a serving bowl. Add morels and sauce, and mix gently. Serve immediately.