Mushroom and Black Pepper Pasta ala ~DKBB~

Mushroom and Black Pepper Pasta ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from www.thepioneerwoman.com)

 

Photo from The Pioneer Woman

Kosher salt
8 oz. linguine (or similar type pasta)
3 Tbsp. salted butter
8 oz. each of two kinds of mushrooms (what’s available where you live will dictate this)
4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
1 shallot, diced
1 Tbsp. fresh cracked black pepper
1 Tbsp. Trader Joe’s ground fermented black garlic (optional)
¾ c. heavy cream
¼ c. ground parmesan or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, plus additional for serving (or any other such cheese you may prefer)

Fresh parsley (optional)

• Bring pot of lightly salted (using kosher salt) water to a boil and add the pasta; cook for 2 minutes less than package directions.
• Using a glass measuring cup or heatproof pitcher, scoop 1½ cups of pasta water out, then drain the pasta and set aside.
• Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat; add mushrooms, garlic, and shallot and cook, stirring until the liquid cooks off and the mushrooms are golden (7 to 8 minutes).
• Add a pinch of kosher salt and the black pepper (it will look like too much pepper, but it’s not) and black garlic; stir and cook for another couple minutes.
• Pour in the cream, stir it in well, and let it boil gently and thicken (about 2 minutes).
• Reduce heat to low and add the cheese, stirring it in well, then the drained pasta; make sure to coat the pasta well with the sauce.
• Add in some of the reserved pasta water if the sauce gets too thick.
• Dish up the pasta with lots of mushrooms and sprinkle on more cheese and sprinkle on fresh parsley if desired.

Fusilli with Pecorino Romano and Black Pepper ala ~DKBB~

I saw this on Giada at Home and just had to try it; I love black pepper!

Kosher salt
1 lb. fusilli pasta (or any kind of corkscrew-type pasta)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed
2 cloves garlic, minced
5 cups baby spinach leaves (5 oz.)
Freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese (6 oz.)*
1 cup mascarpone cheese (8 oz.), at room temperature
* If you can't get this in the backwater you live in, other Italian cheeses will do in a pinch.

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but firm to the bite (about 8 to 10 minutes). Reserve 3/4 cup of the cooking liquid, then drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the crushed garlic and cook until lightly browned. Remove the crushed garlic and discard. Add the spinach, 2 tsp. freshly ground pepper, and 2 tsp. minced garlic. Cook until spinach is wilted.
• Remove skillet from heat, add pasta. Add Pecorino Romano cheese and 2 tsp. each Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Toss all until well coated.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the mascarpone cheese and the 3/4 cup reserved pasta water until smooth. Pour over the pasta and toss until well coated. Season with Kosher salt.
• Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and serve.

If you like bold flavors, you'll likely enjoy this, little ones!