Penne With Grilled Portabellas And Pecorino Food

PENNE PECORINO

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the penne according to package directions in lightly salted water. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.
• Increase the heat under the skillet to medium-high and stir the cooked penne and reserved pasta water into the skillet. Let the sauce simmer and reduce until it thickens, for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the grated cheese until partially melted.
• Top with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.

PENNE PORTABELLA (COPYCAT OF PASTA POMODORO'S DISH)

Steps:

• Soak the dried porchini mushrooms in the hot water (about 10 minutes), then squeeze the liquid out of the mushrooms and chop it up. Be sure to reserve the tasty soaking water for the sauce!
• Prepare the sausage according to package directions (cooked throughly and browned), drain.
• Cook the pasta according to package directions as well, however, minus one to two minutes to finsh "cooking" in the sauce. Meanwhile start the sauce:.
• Heat up a large pan (large enough to fit the pasta in), add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, sautee garlic just until fragrant, add in cooked sausage, portobello mushrooms and porchini mushrooms, and (first add 1/4 cup) of the reserved porchini soaking water as well as the wine. Let this cook for a few minutes. If the portobello mushroom is still dry, add more of the reserved soaking water (add all if possible), cook until the portobello is browned and tender.
• Add cream and heat through, stirring to incorporate the flavors together. Next add the cooked pasta and arugula or spinach leaves, cook for a minute or two to let the pasta soak up the sauce and wilt the arugula or spinach.
• Taste and adjust seasoning, adding parmesan cheese then salt and pepper if desired.

PENNE WITH PANCETTA, PECORINO, AND BLACK PEPPER

Steps:

• 1 In a skillet large enough to hold all of the cooked pasta, heat the lard or olive oil over medium heat. Add the guanciale or pancetta, and cook, stirring frequently, 10 minutes or until crisp and golden brown. 2 Bring at least 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 2 tablespoons of salt, then the pasta. Stir well. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente, tender yet still firm to the bite. Set aside some of the cooking water. Drain the pasta. 3 Pour the pasta into the skillet and toss it with the cheese, pepper, and a couple of tablespoons of the water until the pasta is well coated. Serve immediately with more pepper, if desired. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.