Phil and I influence each other’s gastronomic likes and dislikes.  Before we met I wasn’t fond of sushi,  couldn’t understand all the passion for guacamole, and twisted my nose at maple syrup.  Now I’m addicted to sushi (with no intentions of rehab), I’ll eat guacamole any time,  and I can’t imagine a blueberry pancake without the heavenly nectar drizzled on top.

Phil, on the other hand,  wouldn’t touch a raw tomato, felt queasy around foie gras, and didn’t like the smell of goat cheese.  Those days are over, which is  great, because I didn’t want to skip this pasta, with creamy goat cheese enveloping cremini mushrooms and arugula.   You can use any pasta shape you prefer,  but pick a mild goat cheese that will quickly melt in the hot pasta.

CREMINI MUSHROOM PASTA WITH GOAT CHEESE AND ARUGULA
(adapted from The Essential New York Times Cookbook)
receita em portugues na pagina seguinte

1 pound spaghetti (or another shape of your choice)
2 pounds cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs butter
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and black pepper to taste
2-3 cups baby arugula
3/4 pound soft goat cheese, crumbled (room temperature)
freshly minced parsley

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the pasta until al dente.  Heat the olive oil and butter on a non-stick skillet, add the garlic and saute for a couple of minutes.  Add the sliced mushrooms, season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook the mushrooms until they release liquid and it almost completely evaporates.  Reserve, keeping warm.

When the pasta’s ready, reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water, drain the pasta, return to the pot and add the cremini mushrooms, arugula, goat cheese, and parsley. Gently toss everything to wilt the arugula, add some of the pasta water to get a smooth consistency, adjust the seasoning, and serve.

(makes 4 substantial servings)

ENJOY!

to print the recipe, click here

Comments: If you don’t like goat cheese, then this pasta is not for you, just skip it, because the “flavor of the barnyard”  (as Phil calls it) is pronounced in the sauce.  The original recipe called for regular arugula, but instead I used baby arugula because the sharpness of the goat cheese pairs better with a milder green.  If you want to tone it down even more then use baby spinach, or even Swiss chard, although you’ll have to saute it first.  My other adaptation was to skip the 1/2 cup of olive oil that was intended as its  “finishing touch.”  Despite my love for olive oil, I’d never add 955 calories of fat to a pasta that’s perfectly fine without it.  I am not a fat-o-phobe, but have my limits.

We like to go vegetarian one day during the week, and this is a great option if you’re trying to skip meat whether occasionally or permanently.   It’s delicious!

Note to self: to make it even faster, saute the mushrooms in advance, and  re-warm them right before adding to the pasta.

ONE YEAR AGO: Seared Tuna is my Private Idaho

CANTINHO BRASILEIRO

PASTA COM COGUMELOS AO MOLHO DE QUEIJO DE CABRA E RUCULA
(adaptado do The Esssential New York Times Cookbook)

500g espaguete
800g cogumelos cremini cortados em fatias finas
2 colheres de sopa de azeite
1 colher de sopa de manteiga
1 dente de alho picado
sal e pimenta a gosto
2-3 xícaras de baby rúcula
300g de queijo de cabra macio, aos pedacinhos (em temperatura ambiente)
salsinha picada

Leve uma panela grande de água salgada para ferver e cozinhe o macarrão até ficar al dente. Aqueça o azeite e a manteiga em uma frigideira antiaderente, adicione o alho e refogue por alguns minutos. Adicione os cogumelos fatiados, tempere levemente com sal e pimenta. Cozinhe os cogumelos até que soltem todo seu liquido e o liquido evapore quase que por completo. Reserve, mantendo aquecido.

Quando o macarrão estiver pronto, reserve cerca de 1 / 2 xícara de água do cozimento, escorra a massa, retorne para a panela e adicione os cogumelos cremini, rúcula, queijo de cabra, e salsa. Gentilmente misture tudo para que a rúcula cozinhe em contato com a massa, acrescente um pouco da agua do cozimento para produzir uma textura macia ao molho, ajuste o tempero e sirva.

(rendimento: 4 porcoes)