Porcini Pesto Pasta Recipes

SILKY BLENDER PESTO PASTA SAUCE WITH FETTUCCINE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
• Add the basil leaves to a large bowl, then cover with cold water and let sit while you start the pesto. To a blender, add the pine nuts, garlic, pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 pepper and half the olive oil. Turn the blender to high and process until the mixture is smooth and looks like a liquidy nut butter. Drain the basil leaves, but do not pat them dry. (The excess water will help create a smooth and silky sauce.) Add the basil leaves to the blender along with the remaining olive oil. Cover the blender and process until completely smooth. Add the cheeses and process until just combined. Set aside.
• Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain the pasta and add it back to the pasta pot. Add the pesto and 1/2 cup pasta water. Turn the heat to low and toss together until the sauce is silky and clinging to the pasta, adding more pasta water if necessary.
• Transfer the pasta to bowls and top with extra Parmesan. Serve.

PORCINI MUSHROOMS EGG NOODLES WITH BASIL PESTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil.
• Add salt and cook the noodles for 2 minutes.
• In the meantime, chop the fresh pistachios and brown them in a pan with a little extra-virgin olive oil.
• In another pan, heat the pesto sauce with a little cooking water, then drain the noodles and add them.
• Stir fry for one minute until the noodles have absorbed the sauce, then serve immediately with the chopped pistachios and parsley garnish.
• Variant with Mushrooms: Brown in a pan some Edendum Porcini mushrooms, add the pesto sauce with a little cooking water, then proceed as above.

MUSHROOM PESTO

Steps:

• Combine the dried porcini mushrooms and water in a small microwave safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, cut several steam vents, and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Let stand until the mushrooms soften, about 5 minutes. Lift the mushrooms from the liquid with a fork and mince. Pour the liquid through a small strainer lined with a single sheet of paper towel into a measuring cup.
• Meanwhile, combine the white mushrooms, shallot, 1 tbls. of the oil, and 1/2 teaspoons salt together in a 12" nonstick skillet. Cover and cook over medium low heat until the mushrooms release their juice, about 7 minutes.
• Uncover, increase the heat to medium high, and stir in the garlic and thyme. Continue to cook, uncovered, until the mushrooms are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the strained porcini water, scraping up any browned bits.
• Process the sauteed mushroom mixture, minced porcini, Parmesan, ricotta, parsley, and remaining 1 tbls. oil in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• When tossing the pesto with pasta, add some of the pasta cooking water as needed to loosen the consistency of the pesto.
• Note:.
• The pesto can be covered with a sheet of plastic wrap pressed flush against its surface and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Do not freeze this pesto.