Lunch: Mushroom Lover's Marinara

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Basil

Health and fertility benefits of Mushroom Lover's Marinara

Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients

A handful of dried porcini mushrooms (about 1 ounce)
1 cup chicken stock/poaching liquid from Poached Chicken
1/4 cup EVOO
1/4 pound guanciale or bacon, chopped
1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
1 teaspoon marjoram or oregano (scant 1/3 palmful)
1 fresh chile pepper, such as Fresno, finely chopped or 1 teaspoon dried flakes
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup marsala or dry red wine
One 28- to 32-ounce can San Marzano tomatoes
2 cups passata or tomato sauce
A few leaves of basil, torn, plus extra for garnish
1 pound bucatini or spaghetti
2 tablespoons butter
Grated pecorino cheese, for topping

Instructions

Place the porcini mushrooms in a pot, cover with the stock and bring to a simmer. Reconstitute to tender, then remove with a slotted spoon and chop; reserve with the liquid.
Heat a tablespoon of EVOO in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the guanciale and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon, add the remaining EVOO, a few turns of the pan, and add the cremini mushrooms to brown, 10 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, marjoram or oregano, chile, salt and pepper, stir 1 to 2 minutes, then add the tomato paste and stir a minute more. Add the marsala or wine and the reserved porcini stock, minus a few spoonfuls where grit may have settled. Add the porcini, guanciale or bacon and the tomatoes (break up tomatoes a bit); stir in the passata and, a few leaves of basil and simmer over low heat 40 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken and combine flavors. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal. Reheat the sauce, covered, over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
To serve, bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta, add salt and cook the pasta to al dente, reserving a cup of starchy cooking water just before draining. Return the pasta to the hot pot and add the butter and half of the sauce; toss to combine, adding some starchy cooking water if necessary to loosen the sauce. Serve the pasta in shallow bowls with the remaining mushroom marinara on top; garnish with lots of cheese.

Add a review for Mushroom Lover's Marinara