Mushroom Wafu Pasta Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until 1 minute shy of al dente, according to the package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
• While pasta cooks, make the sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 4 tablespoons of butter over medium. When the butter is melted and starts to foam, add garlic and mushrooms. Cook, stirring only occasionally to ensure garlic doesn't burn, until mushrooms start browning on the edges, about 6 to 7 minutes. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 12 to 15 cranks of pepper. If the pasta is still cooking, remove the skillet from the heat and set aside until pasta is ready.
• Return the skillet to medium low. Push the mushrooms to one side of the skillet. Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter and soy sauce, allowing butter to melt into the soy sauce before combining with the mushrooms. Add pasta and 1/2 cup of the pasta water to the skillet, tossing to coat with the sauce. Cook, adding more pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time as needed, until pasta is glossy, about 1 minute.
• Remove from heat. Top with sliced scallions and shredded nori. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, heat a large (12-inch), deep skillet over medium-high. When hot, add 2 tablespoons oil and the mushrooms. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, giving it a stir every 2 minutes or so. The mushrooms will release lots of liquid, but it will evaporate as it cooks. When the mushrooms start to turn golden, add the garlic, five spice and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper, then cook for 1 minute. Transfer the mushrooms to a plate and set aside.
• While the mushrooms are cooking, make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the oyster sauce, maple syrup, soy sauce, sesame oil and chile oil with 1/4 cup water until combined. Set aside.
• Heat the same skillet back over medium-high. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the broccolini. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the broccolini is tender but still quite crisp.
• Add the pasta to the pan, along with the sauce and the butter. Using tongs, toss to combine, then add the reserved pasta cooking water, 1/4 cup at a time, just to loosen the sauce. When the butter has melted, add the mushrooms and toss again. Remove from the heat. Serve topped with scallions.

Steps:

• Add the stock, heavy cream, porcini mushroom powder (if using), 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves and 2 teaspoons salt to a large pot. Bring to a boil over high.
• While the liquid comes to a boil, heat the oil over medium-high in a large (12-inch) nonstick skillet. Add the mushrooms, shallots, garlic and 2 teaspoons thyme leaves. Season generously with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and tender, about 12 minutes. Add the port, and stir until the alcohol cooks off and the mixture is almost dry, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, set aside and cover to keep warm.
• Add the pasta to the boiling cream mixture, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently with tongs, until the pasta is al dente and absorbs most of the liquid, and the sauce is silky, 6 to 7 minutes. (Stir constantly during the last couple minutes to ensure the pasta cooks evenly. Add a splash of water if needed to keep the mixture glossy.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the pasta to bowls, top with the mushroom mixture and the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, and serve immediately.