Wild Mushroom Fettuccine
I am a huge fan of wild mushrooms. They are an excellent source of protein and offer anti-inflammatory benefits. My favorite mushroom is the chanterelle. However, in the US, chanterelles are notoriously expensive, and they do not have that deep, earthy flavor that I am used to from back home in Ukraine because our soil, known as "chornozem," is very fertile and organic-rich, giving fruits and vegetables a unique, mouthwatering taste.
To substitute the expensive and not-so-tasty local chanterelles, I opt for shiitake and brown beech mushrooms, both affordable and available at Trader Joe's. I love using these mushrooms to make a comforting pasta dish perfect for satisfying the cravings of both pasta and mushroom lovers. Let me show you how.
Ingredients (about 4 servings):
3 oz of your cold cut of choice: prosciutto, speck, or guanciale, sliced into 1 inch pieces
1 ½ lbs of wild mushrooms, washed and sliced in desired shape
5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 pack (1 lbs) of large-shaped pasta (such as Fettuccine or Paccheri)
2 tbsp of fresh thyme leaves
1 cup of vegetable stock (I make my own with vegetable scraps and thyme)
⅓ cup of heavy cream
½ cup of olive oil
1 tablespoon of butter
Optional: parmesan, red pepper flakes, thyme sprigs for garnishing
How-to:
1. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pot (preferably cast iron). Cook your meat pieces for about 3 mins or until crispy. Once done, transfer it to paper towels to eliminate excess fat.
2. Add more oil and a tbsp of butter to the same pot. Add mushrooms and garlic, and fry until browned, around 7-8 mins.
3. Reduce the heat and add thyme leaves. Season with salt and pepper and continue cooking for a few more mins.
4. Add the stock, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer for about 10 mins.
5. Cook your pasta until it's extra al dente - about 3-4 mins, and using a pasta spoon, transfer to a pot with mushrooms.
Add cream and a splash of pasta water, and cook for about 2 mins (do not overcook!)
6. Divide among bowls and top with parmesan strips, crispy meat slices, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Yuuuuuuuum!
