Chef Jonathan Waxman recommends using the best-possible artisanal pasta for this dish, and he adds that it's very important not to overcook it.
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed, peeled, and finely minced
- 1⁄2 medium vidalia or other sweet onion, peeled and finely chopped
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 lb. assorted fresh wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles and porcini, washed, trimmed, and cut into large pieces
- 1⁄4 cup fino sherry
- Leaves of 6 sprigs parsley, coarsely chopped
- 1 lb. quality tube-shaped pasta, such as Rustichella d'Abruzzo rigatoncini
- 3 oz. freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano
Instructions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat until warm. Add 2 tbsp. of the oil, then add garlic and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, transfer to a medium bowl, and set aside.
Step 2
Return skillet to high heat. Add 2 tbsp. of the oil, then add half the mushrooms, and cook until moisture evaporates and mushrooms are lightly browned, 10–12 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to bowl with onions. Repeat process with 2 more tbsp. oil and remaining mushrooms. Return mushroom–onion mixture to skillet and stir well. Add sherry, scrape any browned bits stuck to bottom of skillet with a wooden spoon, and cook for 2 minutes. Add some water to skillet, if necessary, to make pan juices a little saucier. Add parsley, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for a few minutes. Adjust seasonings and keep warm over lowest heat.
Step 3
Add a generous pinch of salt to pot of boiling water. Add pasta and cook, stirring often, until just cooked through, 12–13 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water, and return pasta to pot. Add mushroom–onion mixture, three-quarters of the cheese, and remaining oil to pasta and toss well , moistening pasta with some of the reserved pasta water, if you like. Transfer pasta to a warm serving platter and sprinkle with remaining parmigiano-reggiano.
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