Meatless Wednesday: Pappardelle With Mushrooms

If you wish to enter into a vegetarian lifestyle or are just looking to go meatless for one day a week, it is important to remember the value of protein in a well-balanced diet. This vegetarian recipe is full of flavor and provides a tasty meatless option without sacrificing the nutrients your body needs.

Bon Appetite!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried porcini mushrooms
• 2/3 cup boiling water
• 8 ounces uncooked pappardelle pasta
• 3 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
• 2 (4-ounce) packages exotic mushroom blend, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped sage
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1 teaspoon truffle oil
• Sage leaves (optional)

Preparation

1. Rinse porcini. Combine porcini and 2/3 cup boiling water in a bowl; cover and let stand 30 minutes. Drain in a sieve over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup soaking liquid. Chop porcini.
2. Cook pasta with 1 tablespoon salt in boiling water 10 minutes; drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots, mushroom blend, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes. Stir in porcini, sherry, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook 1 minute or until the liquid evaporates.
4. Finely grate 1 ounce cheese; crumble remaining cheese. Reduce heat to medium. Stir pasta, 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid, 1/4 cup reserved porcini soaking liquid, 1/4 cup grated cheese, cream, chopped sage, and pepper into mushroom mixture; toss well to combine. Drizzle with truffle oil. Place about 1 1/4 cups pasta mixture on each of 4 plates; top each serving with about 1 tablespoon crumbled cheese. Garnish with sage leaves, if desired.