Mushroom Sauce and Pasta

Mushroom Sauce and Pasta

Serves 4

12 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed

12 ounces white mushrooms, trimmed

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Salt and black pepper

2 shallots, minced

2 tablespoons minced sage

4 garlic cloves, minced

¼ ounce dried porcini mushrooms, rinsed and chopped fine

1/2-cup dry white wine

4 cups water plus 1/4-cup hot water

12 ounces (3-3/4-cups) companelle, penne, or fusilli

2 ounces Pecarino Romano cheese, grated (1-cup) plus extra for serving

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons minced fresh chives

1. Coarsely chop half of shiitake mushrooms and white mushrooms, then quarter remaining shiitake and white mushrooms. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add all shiitake mushrooms and white mushrooms (both chopped and quartered) and ¾ teaspoon salt. Cover and cook until mushrooms release their liquid, about 5 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until all liquid has evaporated and mushrooms begin to brown, about 10 minutes.
2. Add shallots, sage, garlic, and porcini mushrooms and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add wine and cook until evaporated, about 2 minutes. Stir in 4 cups water, pasta, and 1-1/4 teaspoons salt and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
3. Off heat, stir in Pecorino, 1/4-cup hot water, lemon juice, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and 1/2-teaspoon black pepper. Stir vigorously for 1 minute, until sauce is thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to serving dish and sprinkle with chives. Serve with Pecorino separately.