Portobello Mushroom Ragu Recipes

PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM, HOT AND SWEET PEPPER RAGU WITH PAPPARDELLE

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and char the red cherry and bell peppers until evenly blackened. Place in a bowl and cover to cool. Peel and seed the peppers. Finely dice the red cherry peppers, and then chop the red bell peppers into 1/4-inch dice.
• Meanwhile, heat the EVOO in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the pancetta to render, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and cook until dark and tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Add the rosemary, sage, thyme, marjoram, garlic, onions and some salt and black pepper and cook 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and roasted peppers. Deglaze with the wine and cook until reduced by half, scraping reducing up the bits on the bottom of the pan, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down, 30 minutes.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pappardelle to al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy cooking water before draining, and tossing the pasta with the sauce and the cooking water 1 minute. To serve, combine the pasta with lots of grated pecorino, passing more at the table, for topping.

EASY MUSHROOM RAGU WITH PARMESAN POLENTA

Steps:

• Put the olive oil, shallots and a pinch of salt in a large (12-inch) skillet and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots are softened, but not browned.
• Add the mushrooms to the pan, Cook for about 5 minutes, or until they take on some color, then stir and add 1/2 teaspoon salt (this helps them release their water). Continue cooking until the mushrooms become tender and the liquid evaporates.
• Stir in the garlic, rosemary or thyme, chili, tomato paste, vinegar and butter. Add 1/3 cup of the stock or water and stir until the mixture becomes saucy, adding more liquid if needed.
• Serve the ragu over Parmesan Polenta with grated Parmesan.

PASTA WITH PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Trim hard parts from mushrooms and discard. Rinse mushrooms quickly to remove grit; cut caps into slices and stems into small chunks. Combine in a medium skillet with 1 clove garlic (crushed and peeled), thyme, olive oil and some salt and pepper. Cook over sufficiently low heat so that mixture bubbles but mushrooms do not brown. Continue to cook, stirring infrequently, until they are quite shrunken in size and appear firm, 30 to 45 minutes. (At this point, you can pause for several hours before resuming cooking.) If you are using porcinis, soak them in hot water to cover for a few minutes so that they soften.
• Set a large pot of water to boil for pasta and salt it. Mince remaining garlic. Turn heat under oil to medium, and add garlic to the portobellos along with the drained porcinis. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic begins to color. Add tomatoes and raise heat to medium high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they break up and become saucy, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta until it is tender but not mushy. Taste sauce and adjust its seasoning. When pasta is done, drain it, toss with sauce, top with Parmesan, and serve.

PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM RAGU

Steps:

• 1. Heat olive oil in a large casserole and saute the onions until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often.
• 2. Add garlic, saute for 1 minute, then stir in mushrooms and thyme. Continue to cook over high heat until the mushrooms have softened and given off their juices, 2 to 3 minutes.
• 3. Add tomatoes and cook until the mixture is thick, about 10 minutes. Serve over wheatberry, bulgur wheat pilaf or soft cornmeal polenta. Ragu can be cooled and refrigerated for up to 4 days, Garnish with additional thyme, if desired.

PENNE WITH PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM RAGU

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a large pot for cooking the pasta.
• Remove and discard the mushroom stems; wipe caps clean.
• Cut the mushrooms in half; slice each half crosswise into 1/4-inch thick strips; set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet.
• Add in the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are quite tender and have begun to give off some liquid.
• Stir in the rosemary and salt and pepper to taste; cook for 30 seconds.
• Add the wine and simmer until it reduces by half, about 3 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and simmer until the sauce thickens considerably, 10-15 minutes; adjust the seasonings.
• When the water comes to a boil, add salt to taste and the penne.
• Cook until al dente, then drain.
• Toss the penne with the mushroom sauce and mix well.
• Divide among individual bowls and serve immediately with grated cheese passed separately at the table.