Photo by Jim Franco

Fresh Tagliatelle with Creminis By Arthur Boehm adapted from Second Helpings from Union Square Cafe

(Serves 6 as an appetizer, 4 as a main course)

This is the pasta dish for mushroom lovers. Heavy cream adds silkiness to the sauce, but light cream can replace it—or you can omit the cream entirely. Find fresh tagliatelle in Italian food stores or packaged at your supermarket.

This makes an ideal first course, followed by grilled meat or fish.

• 1/4 cup, dried porcini mushrooms (available at gourmet grocers and some supermarkets)
• 1 1/4 pounds, cremini mushrooms, or creminis plus other mushroom types, such as white, shiitake, or portobello
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon, extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons, finely chopped garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon, dried red pepper flakes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup, dry white wine
• 1 pound, fresh tagliatelle
• 1/3 cup, heavy or light cream (optional)
• 1/3 cup, chopped parsley

Fill a large pot with hot water, and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, soak the dried porcini mushrooms in very hot water to soften, about 10 minutes. Drain, dry, and chop the mushrooms roughly.

Working in 2 to 3 batches, pulse the creminis in a food processor until evenly chopped but not puréed.

In a heavy pan large enough to hold the pasta and mushrooms, heat the 1/4 cup of oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, and cook just until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the pepper flakes. Raise the heat to high, add the cremini and porcini mushrooms, and cook until their liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms are soft, about 8 minutes. Season generously with salt and black pepper, and add the wine. Allow the wine to reduce to a glaze, about 1 minute.

Cook the pasta in boiling water until just done, about 3 minutes; do not over-cook. Add the cream, if desired, to the mushroom mixture, and heat gently. Drain the pasta, and transfer to the pan with the mushroom sauce. Add the remaining oil, toss the pasta and sauce, sprinkle with the parsley, and serve immediately.