Wild Mushroom Sacchetti Food

RAVIOLI FILLED WITH PORCINI MUSHROOMS AND TWO CHEESES

Steps:

• First make the filling: Drain the dried mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid, and mince. In a skillet cook the shallots in the oil over moderate heat, stirring until they are softened. Add the fresh mushrooms and salt and pepper to taste and cook the mixture, stirring, until it is dry. Add the dried mushrooms and the garlic, cook the mixture, stirring, until it is dry, and transfer it to a bowl. Add the mozzarella, the Parmesan, and salt and pepper to taste to the mushroom mixture and stir the filling until it is well combined. Make the ravioli: Trim the ends of the dough and cut the dough crosswise into 2 pieces, 1 piece 1 1/2 inches longer than the other. Put a rounded teaspoon of the mushroom mixture in 2 rows on the shorter piece, spacing them about 1 inch from the edges and with their centers about 1 1/2 inches apart. Brush the dough around the filling with water, put the longer piece of dough on top, and press it gently around the mounds of filling. With a fluted pastry wheel or knife cut the dough between the mounds. Arrange the ravioli in one layer on a baking sheet sprinkled with flour and let dry one hour.
• When ready to cook the ravioli, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add ravioli and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until it is just tender, drain it in a colander and transfer it to a large bowl. Then in a small saucepan melt the butter and add the butter to the ravioli, tossing to coat it well. Transfer to serving dish. In another saucepan combine the heavy cream, 1/2 cup of the reserved mushroom soaking liquid, strained through a double thickness of rinsed and squeezed cheesecloth, and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it is slightly thickened. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Top the ravioli evenly with the sauce and sprinkle with the parsley and the Parmesan before serving.

WILD-MUSHROOM PASTA

Steps:

• Soak dried mushrooms in boiling-hot water in a bowl until softened, about 20 minutes. Drain in a paper-towel-lined sieve set over a bowl and reserve soaking liquid, then rinse soaked mushrooms. Pat dry and finely chop.
• Heat 3 tablespoons butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté fresh mushrooms with garlic, salt, and pepper, stirring occasionally, until liquid mushrooms give off is evaporated and mushrooms are browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in chopped soaked mushrooms and reserved mushroom-soaking liquid and simmer 1 minute, then remove from heat.
• Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente, about 5 minutes. Ladle out and reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Drain pasta in a colander, then add it to mushrooms in skillet. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cook over moderately high heat, tossing and adding some pasta-cooking liquid if necessary to lightly coat, 1 minute. Add chives, parsley, lemon zest, and juice, then toss well. Serve immediately with cheese and pepper to taste.

PASTA WITH WILD MUSHROOM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, bring salted water to a boil.
• In a large saute pan, over high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and saute for 1 minute, just until beginning to turn translucent. Add the marjoram and saute 1 more minute. Add the mushrooms and saute until they begin to brown and release their liquid, about 5 minutes. Add the Mushroom Stock and reduce 5 minutes. Add the cream and reduce about 5 minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and quickly toss with mushroom sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Divide onto serving plates and serve immediately garnished with marjoram sprigs.
• Combine the chicken stock and mushrooms in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by half. Strain.