Spring Asparagus And Mushroom Pappardelle Food

PAPPARDELLE WITH MUSHROOM RAGU

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, pulse the walnuts in a food processor until finely chopped; remove to a small bowl. Add half the mushrooms to the food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Slice the remaining mushrooms.
• Heat the olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the walnuts; cook, stirring, until toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the onion and chopped mushrooms and cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are dry, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the mushrooms are browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and garlic and cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until coated, about 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, then rinse the empty can with 1/2 cup water and pour it into the pot. Add the rosemary and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.
• When the sauce is almost ready, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs for al dente, about 5 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the pasta to the sauce. Cook, tossing, until well coated. Stir in half the parsley and season with salt and pepper; remove the rosemary sprig. Divide the pasta among bowls and top with the remaining parsley.

CHEESY MUSHROOM PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ham, onion, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms; cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, until incorporated, 1 minute.
• Gradually add the milk to the skillet, stirring until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until thick and creamy, about 3 minutes; remove from the heat.
• Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 4 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and add to the skillet with the sauce.
• Add the havarti, parsley and 3 tablespoons parmesan to the skillet and toss using tongs. If the sauce seems thick, gradually add the reserved cooking water to loosen. Sprinkle with the remaining 3 tablespoons parmesan. Broil until bubbly, about 4 minutes.

FETTUCCINE WITH MUSHROOMS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• 1. Bring 6 quarts water to a boil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat, then add 2 tablespoons salt.
• 2. While waiting for the water to boil, heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and pepper flakes and sauté quickly to keep the ingredients from scorching. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until the mushrooms darken slightly in color and are softened but still holding their shape, about 5 minutes. Add the broth and asparagus and cook, stirring gently, for 2 minutes. Stir in the cream, immediately reduce the heat to keep it from scorching, and cook for several minutes.
• 3. Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts in a sauté pan over low heat, shaking the pan, just until they are warm and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• 4. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, 7 to 9 minutes from the time the water returns to a boil (10 minutes if you are using pappardelle).
• 5. Add the basil, butter, pine nuts, and cheese to the pan with the mushrooms and toss well.
• 6. Reserve a cup or so of the pasta's cooking liquid, then drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the mushrooms, asparagus, and sauce. If the sauce seems too dry, stir in a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water. Toss, taste, and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and more pepper flakes if necessary.
• 7. Present the pasta in a bowl and serve family style from the center of the table, or divide among individual plates.
• Your Nightly Specials
• Mushrooms: Instead of using the cremini, use 1 cup dried porcini mushrooms.
• Dried Mushrooms: Dried mushrooms like porcini, morel, and chanterelle offer a quick way to add flavor to cooking and are especially useful in the off season or winter months. Always rinse dried mushrooms under cold running water to remove any lingering dirt and sand, then reconstitute them in hot water for 20 minutes, drain, and strain the liquid. Save the liquid for soups and sauces. Keeping a small packet of dried mushrooms, which costs just a few dollars, in your pantry will five earthy flavor on demand.
• Use a spice grinder to grind dried porcini to a powder. This seasoning powder will very economically make a full pot of risotto taste like a much more costly version, something many restaurants do to make flavors pop. Add 1 tablespoon to the finished mushrooms for a powerful and full flavor at an economical price.
• Porcini Mushrooms: Fresh porcini are among the most delicious of mushrooms. When they are available each fall, by all means use them, although they are expensive and need to be cooked as quickly as possible because they are highly perishable.
• Add 1/2 cup of blanched and shocked fresh or frozen peas, spincach, and/or broccoli buds.
• Toss some shredded, leftover roasted turkey or duck meat into the pan along with the cooked pasta.

PAPPARDELLE WITH MIXED WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Brush off any dirt from the mushrooms with a pastry brush or a dish towel. Slice the mushrooms thinly, but tear girolles, chanterelles and blewits in half. Put the olive oil in a very hot frying pan and add the mushrooms. Let them fry fast, tossing once or twice, then add the garlic and chilli with a pinch of salt (it is very important to season mushrooms lightly, as a little really brings out the flavor). Continue to fry fast for 4-5 minutes, tossing regularly. Then turn the heat off and squeeze in the lemon juice. Toss and season to taste.
• Meanwhile cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Add to the mushrooms, with the Parmesan, parsley and butter. Toss gently, coating the pasta with the mushrooms and their flavor. Serve, scraping out all of the last bits of mushroom from the pan, and sprinkle with a little extra parsley and Parmesan.

PAPPARDELLE WITH ASPARAGUS AND LEMON

Steps:

• Snap off the tough ends of the asparagus and cut each stalk into 3 to 4 pieces, slicing on the diagonal. Cook the asparagus in a pot of lightly salted, boiling water for 2 minutes, or until tender but still firm. Immediately place in a bowl of ice water, or under cold running water. After asparagus cool, drain, cover with plastic wrap and set aside. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente (barely tender), about 10 to 12 minutes. While the pasta is cooking, combine lemon juice and white wine in a small non-stick skillet and cook over medium-high heat until reduced to 2 to 3 tablespoons. Add salt and cream and reduce to about 2/3 cup. Remove from heat and stir in one tablespoon of the lemon zest. Cover to keep warm until the pasta is cooked. When pasta is cooked, drain and return it to the cooking pot. Add asparagus pieces, lemon cream sauce and minced parsley. Toss gently to combine. Transfer to a warm serving platter or plates. Garnish with remaining tablespoon of lemon zest and serve.

SPRING ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add asparagus; cook, covered, until crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes. Drain; place in a large bowl. Add tomatoes; cover and keep warm. , Place vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, onion, salt and paprika in a blender; cover and process until smooth. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Toss with asparagus mixture. Top with almonds and, if desired, cheese.