Creamy Rabbit Spezzatino With Fontina Stuffed Bucatini And Funghi Di Bosco Recipes

Steps:

• Boil 6 quarts of water in a large pot. Once the water is boiling, add 2 tablespoons salt. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Add 3 quick sprays of nonstick cooking spray to a large ovenproof saute pan or small roasting pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and onions, then cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until they have softened, about 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of the mushrooms and stir, then cover and cook until the mushrooms begin to steam, about 1 minute. Transfer the pan to the oven and cook, covered, until the mushrooms are soft, about 5 minutes. Grate the dried mushroom into the pan.
• Add the brandy, chicken stock and evaporated skim milk and bring to a simmer, then cook for about 5 minutes to let the flavors combine. Add the cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Meanwhile drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook to al dente according to the package instructions.
• Mix the arrowroot with 1 teaspoon of water, then add to the mushrooms and simmer, gently stirring, until thickened, about 1 minute. Add half the cheese and stir into the sauce. Drain the pasta and add to the sauce along with the remaining sliced mushrooms; cook over high heat, stirring, until the pasta holds the sauce. Divide the pasta among 4 bowls and sprinkle evenly with the remaining cheese.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, place the dry porcini mushrooms and two cups of hot water until the mushrooms are tender, about 1/2 hour. Remove the mushrooms from the water and dice. Pass the mushroom water through a fine sieve and reserve.
• In a saute pan over medium high heat, add the garlic, olive oil, and 1 ounce of butter. When the garlic begins to saute, add the shiitake and porcini mushrooms. Cook for three minutes, add the white wine and continue to saute until the wine is almost completely evaporated.
• Follow the basic risotto recipe, and when beginning to add the vegetable stock to the risotto, add the Sauteed mushrooms, and the mushroom water stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. When the risotto is cooked al dente, add the butter, chopped Italian parsley and Parmesan cheese, continue stirring until a creamy consistency appears. Serve on a platter or in individual bowls.

Steps:

• To begin to prepare the sauce, in a small bowl combine the dried porcini and hot water and let stand for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove the porcini and squeeze out excess water. Using scissors, cut them into pieces about the size of your thumbnail. Set aside. Strain the mushroom liquor through a paper towel or a fine sieve; reserve. Lightly oil an 8-by-11-inch baking pan and set it aside. Lightly oil two large pastry boards or baking sheets, or a very large scratchproof counter surface. Make the polenta and when it is cooked, turn it directly out onto the boards, counter, or baking sheets. Use a large knife or rubber spatula, first dipped in cold water, to spread out the polenta to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Allow it to cool and harden, about 20 minutes. Cut it into approximate 3-inch squares.
• Meanwhile, preheat an oven to 400 degrees F. Continue to make the sauce. Using a soft brush or clean kitchen towel, remove any dirt from the fresh mushrooms. Don't wash them because water will alter their texture. Separate the stems from the caps, discarding the stems if they are tough. Slice the mushroom caps and tender stems thinly. In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the oil. Add the onion and saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the porcini and saute for another 5 or 6 minutes to marry the flavors. Add the cultivated mushrooms and continue to saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the mushroom soaking liquid, salt, and pepper. Allow to simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then stir in the cream, and allow the mixture barely to reach a simmer. Immediately remove the skillet from the heat.
• Place half of the polenta squares in a layer on the bottom of the prepared dish. Spread half of the sauce in a layer over them, then sprinkle with half of the cheeses. Place another layer of polenta squares over the cheeses. Spoon the remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with the remaining cheeses. Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and golden and the pasticcio is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let settle for 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve hot.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook until it is just shy of al dente, usually 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup pasta water for the sauce (a coffee mug is good for this), then drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown at the edges and thoroughly soft, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Add heavy cream, rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt, red-pepper flakes, and a few grinds black pepper to the pan, and bring to a simmer. Let cream reduce and thicken, 2 to 4 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and stir in Pecorino Romano until combined. Add the drained pasta and about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss well to coat the pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add pasta water by the tablespoon; if it's too thin, let it bubble and reduce for a minute or so. Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest and chives. Taste and add more salt, if needed.
• Serve in bowls, each topped with more chives, mint, a generous amount of black pepper and a sprinkle of pistachios.